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China-EU investment deal expected soon says Foreign Minister Wang Yi
- The diplomat was hopeful at a meeting with ambassadors from the 27 member countries of the European Union
- Wang is the first senior Chinese official to play up the prospect of a finalised deal after seven years of talks
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China and the European Union are likely to wrap up their investment deal – seven years in the making – soon, according to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who met ambassadors from the 27 EU nations in Beijing on Monday.
But it seems the two sides are locked over one EU demand – that China should commit to ending forced labour in Xinjiang. Beijing denies the use of forced labour in the region, and says the measures rolled out are educational in nature and tackle terrorism.
Wang is the first senior Chinese official to play up the prospect of a deal, after an agreement in principle was reached between China and the EU, just weeks before the end-of-year deadline.
“China and Europe are hopefully reaching consensus on the comprehensive investment agreement,” Wang told the ambassadors, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
“It has once again been proved that China-EU cooperation is far greater than competition, and [areas of] consensus are far greater than differences. China and Europe are partners in mutually beneficial cooperation, and the relationship between the two sides is full of vitality,” he said.
Teddy Ng joined the Post’s China desk in 2011, focusing on foreign affairs. He is now deputy editor of the section.
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