China-EU Cooperation: Chinese leader's Europe trip boosts China-EU relations

World
Europe

02:21

European countries say they want to continue cooperation with China after Xi Jinping's visit this week. But they've expressed concern on issues such as equal market access. The EU and China have been working towards an investment agreement for the past six years. CGTN's Ira Spitzer has more from Berlin.

A handshake with his French hosts before heading back to China. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has left Europe for now, but the visit appears to have raised hopes on the continent for an improved relationship.

ANGELA MERKEL GERMAN CHANCELLOR "We have to believe truly that in a multilateral cooperative system, it's possible for everybody to win."

The European Union brought together three of its key figures for an unusual 4 way meeting in Paris. The message, European unity. The backdrop, an expanding relationship with Beijing.

PROFESSOR MARK HALLERBERG HERTIE SCHOOL OF GOVERNANCE, BERLIN "China has become a much more important investor. This includes ports for example, a Greek port, discussions now for an Italian port. Lots of infrastructure projects."

Italy just signed on to Chinas' the Belt and Road Initiative despite concerns from some Europeans who want the bloc to act in unison. European companies too have long complained about what they say is a lack of a level playing field for them in China. While those concerns remain, they are part of complex negotiations towards a China-EU investment treaty which appear to be moving forward.

PROFESSOR MARK HALLERBERG HERTIE SCHOOL OF GOVERNANCE, BERLIN "There are some issues, you could say, some tension in terms of how this runs. But there's also a lot of discussions. There's also a discussion about WTO reform and what sorts of things the Chinese could do with the Europeans."

Xi's visit to Paris included the announcement of deals with China worth over thirty billion dollars for French companies. China is the EU's second largest trading partner, after the United States.

IRA SPITZE BERLIN "German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she would like to play an active role in China's Belt and Road Initiative, if Germany's concerns about reciprocity for European firms are addressed. Those will likely be key topics at next month's China-EU summit. Ira Spitzer, CGTN, Berlin."