WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330/01 by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission. Closer cultural and trade links between the EU and China.
Date: 2001-07-31
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: China, EU industrial policy, EU relations, common commercial policy, domestic trade, economic policy

C 205 E/6

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

29.8.2002

(2002/C 205 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2330/01

by Concepció Ferrer (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(31 July 2001)

Subject: Closer cultural and trade links between the EU and China

China’s economy grew by 7,9 % in the first half of this year and the growth of Chinese GDP is four times
that predicted for the world for this year, indicating that the Asian giant is the only large economy that
has so far been able to avoid the slowdown that is affecting the rest of the world. It is followed by India,
which grew by 3,8 % in the first quarter of the year and looks set to maintain this growth rate until the
end of 2001.

In view of China’s forthcoming entry to the World Trade Organisation, scheduled for the next few months,
does the Commission intend to promote closer cultural and trade links in an attempt to avoid the
significant economic and cultural impact that China’s entry could have?

Answer given by Mr Patten on behalf of the Commission

(3 October 2001)

Recent developments both in the Union and China have created a new setting for Union-China relations.
China’s reform process, its growing economic weight and its impending World Trade Organisation (WTO)
accession are all important factors in this context.

The Commission’s recent Communication to the Council and the Parliament ‘EU Strategy towards China:
Implementation of the 1998 Communication and Future Steps for a more Effective EU Policy (1)’ examines
this new setting. It proposes a series of adjustments to the Union’s policy vis-à-vis China, with a view to
supporting China’s progressive, positive and constructive international engagement in a way which is
consistent with its increasing weight in the global arena. This Communication was endorsed by the
Council in the General Affairs Council (GAC) Conclusions of 25 June 2001.

In the economic field, the Communication calls for China’s further integration into the world economy. It
suggests that the Union should promote this objective through a multi-pronged approach which includes a
close monitoring of China’s implementation of its WTO commitments, but also the strengthening of
mechanisms to deal with bilateral trade issues, and the reinforcement and expansion of dialogue or the
conclusion of bilateral agreements in a number of key sectors or areas, such as the information society,
environment, energy, science and technology, enterprise policy and regulation, maritime transport and
customs. The Communication also confirms the Union’s readiness to implement assistance programmes
which can help to make China’s WTO accession, as well as its economic and social reform process, a
success.

In addition, the Communication foresees a strengthening of contacts between European and Chinese
individuals and businesses, through the fostering of educational exchange programmes and of dialogue
between enterprises on both sides.

(1) COM(2001) 265 final.