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Honorable MEP Ujhelyi, Director Clark, Chairman Dewit,
Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends,
It is a pleasure to attend the Roundtable on China-EU Geographical Indications and to meet with so many friends here. On behalf of the Chinese Mission to the EU, I would like to extend my sincere congratulations on the successful convening of this event, which is the first off-line meeting between the Chinese Mission and colleagues from the European side dedicated to bilateral GI cooperation.
For me personally, this event represents many first-times. It is the first time I attend an event at the European Parliament since taking post in Brussels, the first time I meet with MEP Ujhelyi, and the first time I meet face-to-face with Director Clark. It is also the first time I receive a delegation from China since the outbreak of the pandemic, headed by my dear friend Vice Chairman Pan. So I would say with confidence that even though the pandemic has put a pause on China-EU interactions, frequent and closer contacts and engagement between the two sides will eventually be restored.
Dear friends,
The China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement entered into force in March 1st of last year, extending protection to the first batch of 100 GI products from both sides. Kweichow Moutai Liquor, Gannan Navel Oranges, Pu'er Tea from China and Bordeaux Wine, Scotch Whisky and Parma Ham from Europe have entered each other’s market and gradually become a part of our daily diet. Just last week, the two sides announced the second batch of 175 landmark products respectively, products like Zhouzhi Kiwifruit, Anshun Yam, Inland Rum, and Bulgarian Rose Oil have piqued the interest of our consumers, which I hope will soon be well-known to local markets and enrich the shopping choices of people from both sides.
As we see, agriculture is currently the shiny star of bilateral trade. By 2021, trade volume of agricultural products between China and Europe reached 23.23 billion euros, with China remaining the EU’s third largest agricultural trade partner. In the first half of this year, bilateral agricultural trade volume stood at 11.46 billion euros, with the EU importing 4.53 billion euros worth of products from China, a 68% year-on-year increase. As two major markets, our demand for quality agricultural products is translating into opportunities for both sides, and I believe the GI Agreement will become a timely and effective booster in this regard.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Looking beyond China-EU trade in GI products, in recent weeks, President Michel, Chancellor Scholz, President Macron, and other European leaders have repeatedly emphasized with their words and actions the importance of China-EU trade and economic cooperation, which helped to foster a cooperative atmosphere between the two sides. Of course, the successful visit of President Michel to China last week is just one of the out-standing high-level engagements. We’re glad to see that despite difficulties, China-EU relations have been able to move forward under the strategic guidance of our two leaders. And I believe the efforts and coordination between our business communities and policy circles have contributed significantly to such positive momentum. China and Europe are comprehensive strategic partners with many shared interests. The foundation for cooperation in many areas, such as trade and investment, climate change adaptation, green development, digital transformation, infrastructure, connectivity, etc. is sound and solid and continues to yield fruitful results. It is in both sides and the international community’s best interests for China and Europe to continue our win-win cooperation.
Dear friends,
As the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has underscored, China will adhere to the policy of opening up, firmly pursue an open strategy of mutual benefits and win-win cooperation, adhere to the direction of economic globalization, pursue better synergy between domestic and international markets and resources, and build a new development pattern of dual cycle. The China-Europe GI Agreement is an angle through which we can better understand of merits of bilateral cooperation as well as the logic behind China’s dual cycle strategy. China-EU trade in agricultural products will not only benefit consumers from both sides and drive the rapid development of our relevant industries, and but also increase farmers’ income, promote agricultural and rural development, and eventually improve people’s livelihoods in a sustainable way, thus contributing to the well-being of people around the world.
I sincerely hope that through platforms like today’s Roundtable, we can have a better understanding of the opportunities presented to Europe and the whole world by China’s new development, strengthen our confidence in cooperation, unleash our shared potential, deepen our economic and trade ties, and jointly promote the further development of China-EU cooperation across the board. The Chinese Mission and I myself stand ready to work with friends from both sides including every one present here, to better promote the China-EU GI Agreement and products, so that more quality GI products can better enter each other’s markets and households and become a part of our daily life. We at the Mission are prepared to serve as a bridge for business and industry exchanges and cooperation between the two sides, including the entrepreneurs in attendance. And, I am confident that, with the unwavering efforts from both sides, the future of China-EU cooperation will be even brighter!
Thank you!
