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Monday, December 6, 2004

EU-China Summit: Agreements to be signed on 8 December

At the EU-China Summit on 8 December the breadth of this strategic partnership will be demonstrated by the signing of a number of new agreements:EU-China Joint Declaration on Non-Proliferation and Arms Control

The EU and China will sign a Joint Declaration on Non-Proliferation and Arms Control aimed at enhanced co-operation in this field, with the hope that this will become the framework for an EU-China strategic partnership on non-proliferation. The Joint Declaration gives particular focus to the implementation of UNSC Resolution 1540 on non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction; promotion of and compliance with all non-proliferation and disarmament treaties, other international agreements and additional protocols; and strengthening of export controls on WMD-related materials, equipment and technologies, as well as of conventional weapons.

Financing Agreements

EU-China Social Security Reform Co-operation Project (€20m)

The EU has committed €20million through the Social Security Reform Co-operation Project, to aid the construction of a sustainable social security system in China. The EU will support China with the strengthening and development of its institutions, and the development of policies and human resources to ensure guaranteed access to adequate and affordable social security benefits for all Chinese citizens across the economic and social divide.

EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme (€17.2 million)

The EU has committed €17.2 million over 5 years to the EU-China Managers Exchange and Training Programme which aims to build business and cultural links between the two parties. Chinese managers from the public sector, business federations, NGOs, and media organisations will come to the EU for management training and internships. In return, EU managers will have the opportunity to follow a comprehensive programme of language training, internships and business seminars in China. Participants in the METP are likely to play key roles in the development of future EU-China relations, not only in business but in the public and NGO sectors. In addition, there is a provision for development of teaching materials, teacher training in China, and teacher exchanges.

EU-China Information Society Project (€15 million)

The EU has devoted €15 million to the EU-China Information Society Project to promote Chinese economic and social reform through information society development and to help bridge the digital divide between developed areas and less developed areas .

The EU will work with China on the provision of e-govermment services and will share expertise on regulatory issues. The Chinese Central Government considers the provision of e-government services an essential tool in speeding up China’s industrialisation and modernisation.

Erasmus Mundus China Window Programme (€9 million)

The EU has guaranteed an additional 250 educational scholarships for Chinese students and scholars to study in the UK through the Erasmus Mundus China Window. This action will contribute to improving political, economic and cultural links between the EU and China and will improve partnerships between EU and Chinese universities.

Sectoral Agreements

Euratom – China Research and Development Agreement

The EU and China will sign a Euratom agreement which opens the opportunities for both parties to benefit from technology transfer and knowledge sharing, and encourages and facilitates R&D co-operation in the peaceful use of nuclear energy. The EU in particular will benefit from access to the technology behind China’s state-of-the-art nuclear energy facilities, at a time when Europe will have to start closing down its ageing experimental nuclear reactors. The agreement is underlined by a legal framework on safety and security, and also offers a legal framework for the bilateral co-operation in the fusion area, which is particularly important for future co-operation under ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor).

Customs Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement

The EU aims to achieve closer economic integration with China through the Customs Co-operation and Mutual Administrative Assistance Agreement. This seeks to strengthen the link between customs administrations of the EU and China with the possibility of inspection missions in both directions to ensure the effective enforcement of customs regulations; to facilitate trade relations between the parties; and to establish a legal framework to reinforce the fight against fraud and illegal activities, in particular to combat infringements of intellectual property rights.

Renewal of Science and Technology Agreement

The EU has opened its 6th Framework Research Programme to Chinese Research Partners and Chinese programmes to European researchers as part of the original Science and Technology Agreement (1998). It has resulted in increased scientific co-operation, notably on the information society, biotechnology, food safety, nanotechnology, energy, environment, and SARS, and significant progress has also been made on research co-operation. In the near future co-operation may cover nuclear research (Euratom), satellite navigation (Galileo) and fusion (ITER), and in the longer term may include collaboration on space applications , air traffic management, 4th generation mobile communications and the large-scale use of hydrogen energy.

Source  European Commission Press release

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