Commentary
Press Conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and European Union Commissioner José Manuel Barroso and Prime Minister Tony Blair
Prime Minister Tony Blair visited Beijing as part of the EU Presidency programme. He held a joint press conference with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and European Union Commissioner Barroso.
Opening statements
Premier Wen:
Ladies and Gentlemen, Good Evening. The 8th China-EU Summit has been held on the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, therefore it is of a special significance. In the just concluded meeting, I together with the Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, the President of the European Commission, Mr Barosso, and High Representative Mr Solana and other distinguished colleagues from the European Union have given a positive appraisal of the progress made in China-European relations and put forward new proposals and reached a lot of common understanding on how to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership and deepen cooperation between China and the European Union in all fields. Both sides believe that after 30 years development there has been tremendous progress in China-EU ties which have brought about tangible benefits to people from both sides. To further develop China-EU relations serves the fundamental interests of both sides, it is also conducive to world peace, stability and development. Both sides will work together towards that goal.
Just now the two sides signed cooperation agreements in relation to some specific areas, we have also released the joint statement of the EU-China Summit and the joint declaration on climate change between China and the European Union. So you can all see that our meeting has been both pragmatic and productive.
Prime Minister:
First of all Mr Premier can I thank you once again for the kind welcome of myself and my colleagues here today, and say that this has been a very constructive meeting which has allowed us to make progress on all the major areas of the strategic partnership between the European Union and China. And it is particularly auspicious that it should happen at the 30th anniversary of the relations between China and the European Union at this, the 8th China-EU Summit.
The joint statement that has issued indicates the breadth and depth of this relationship across a whole series of areas to do with the economy, and trade, and science, and technology and development. And the joint declaration on climate change is very welcome, building as it does on the discussions that we had at the G8 Summit at Gleneagles, and I think it is a major step forward in the way that we deal with the issue of climate change and the environment that China is prepared to be part of this strategic dialogue.
So whatever the challenges, either economic or political, that we face, we are determined to meet those challenges together on the basis of a partnership that is comprehensive, strategic and co-operative. And once again Mr Premier, thank you for your kind welcome of us here.
President Barroso:
Let me first join Premier Wen and Prime Minister Blair in their assessment of this summit as a success for the relations between China and the European Union. The summit took important steps in our long term engagement in a number of areas to ... our decision to have a new framework agreement that will translate our relations in a strategic perspective. It was particularly important in this summit, the agreement to go ahead in our dialogue and cooperation in terms of sustainability of development and protection of the environment. We have launched a new effective partnership to tackle climate change jointly and this is a very important avenue for the future of the European Union-China relations.
We had hoped to agree to launch a new dialogue on employment and social affairs, and this is of course very important in labour relations and social protection. This gives you an idea about the wide scope of cooperation between China and the European Union. We think that all these joint efforts make a difference to the Chinese people, supporting the ongoing political and economic reform process which we hope will also be strengthened by further progress on human rights.
Turning to our trade relations, the big picture is that these continue to grow dynamically and it has been an astonishing progress in our trade relations, the progress we have witnessed recently. The European Union is the world's largest trader and in its important trade relations with all countries there are always issues to resolve here and there, such as the current concern over Chinese textile goods. But we advocate that this question be resolved through constructive dialogue, and we are very happy that today the talks between Commissioner Mandelson and Minister Bo Xilai, it was possible to have an agreement for an equitable way to share the burden of releasing the unlicensed textile goods blocked in our ports. Once again we have demonstrated that it is possible when there is real goodwill and if you place the strategic objectives in the priority to solve all issues in our relations between China and the European Union. In sum, the European Union is a strong partner for China and together we want to see common solutions both to improve the lives of our citizens and to fulfil our global responsibilities.
Question and answer session
Question:
I have a question for Premier Wen. The economic and trade cooperation between China and the European Union has been developing very fast, however the trade frictions between our two sides have also been on the increase. Lately the friction between China and the European Union on the issue of textiles is quite salient, so my question is Premier Wen, how do you view this question?
Premier Wen:
Indeed trade between China and the European Union has been leapfrogging and that is the major picture in terms of our trade. In this process it is inevitable that we will find differences or frictions, that is the minor issue. When there are differences we have to find a proper solution through consultations. Recently the difference between China and the European Union on the trade of textiles has been resolved through consultations with the efforts of the relevant authorities from our sides. On June 11 Commissioner Mandelson and Minister Bo Xilai reached agreement in Shanghai on our trade in textiles. Recently they have also held friendly consultations on our differences on trade in several commodities. Last night they worked throughout the night and they were sleepless yesterday, and I could tell you that our consultations have generated a very positive effect and in the near future they will reach agreement on that specific issue. I believe the most precious experience we can draw from this is that we have to extend to each other mutual understanding and treat each other as equals, share the burdens so as to promote the development of our two-way trade.
Question:
I wonder if I could ask the Premier and the Prime Minister to tell us a little bit more about this good news on textiles. Do you both urge the European member states to sign up to this agreement, and what are the consequences for Europe and Europe's consumers if the deal is not done. And if you will forgive me a minor addition, after freedom of trade for China, how soon that the Chinese people should get the freedom to choose their own leaders?
Prime Minister:
First of all on the trade issue, I agree very much with what Premier Wen said earlier. Look, there are bound to be disagreements over trade, partly because of the very strength of the Chinese economic performance. And where there are disagreements we have got to resolve them, as we have fortunately been able to do in respect of textiles. But the big picture is one of increasing trade between China and the European Union, amounting this year probably to $200 billion or more, now that is thousands upon thousands of British and European jobs. And so whatever disagreements occur, and there will be disagreements, we have disagreements with other trading partners, the key thing is that the direction is one way, and that is towards greater economic trade and that is good for our people and good for our country. And obviously the decision making process of the European Union has got to be gone through in respect of the agreement, but I am sure it will be.
Premier Wen:
Recently the trade frictions between the European Union and China on textiles is mainly about 7 Chinese exports of textiles to the European Union. In that case a lot of the goods in the 7 categories of Chinese textiles have been piled at European ports. The reason for that is that there is a time gap between the agreement reached between our two sides on June 11 and the implementation of that agreement. Therefore we must analyze the causes behind this stock-piling in a most objective way and seek a solution through cooperation. That is we both have to adopt a positive attitude in seeking the solution and share the burdens instead of letting the commodities be piling in those ports which will lead to losses on the part of the consumers, the business people and countries from both China and the European side. I have said earlier that between Commissioner Mandelson and Minister Bo Xilai there has already been a basic agreement, and very soon they will sign the agreement, but the agreement will not be signed by me, or Mr Prime Minister or Mr President.
The minor question that you have raised, that by the way actually is a very big question, that is a question concerning China's political reform, I will not dodge your question. In terms of the electoral system in China we have the People's Congress system, for the village level units in China we have adopted direct elections, and for the People's Congress Deputies at the county and urban district level we also have direct elections, but for those above the district level, up to the central government, we have the system of indirect elections. That is decided by the current state of affairs by the Chinese economic, social and political conditions, but I can assure you that China will press ahead with its development of democratic politics, that is political restructuring, in the unswerving and firm way, including direct elections. Since the Chinese people can well manage a village, at the current stage I believe in several years they can manage a township, so that will be an evolving system.
Question:
I have a question for President Barroso from the European Commission, that is what is the European interpretation of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and the European Union, and in order to boost mutual trust and resolve the concerns of China, what are the concrete measures or actions the European side is going to adopt?
President Barroso:
During the meeting we said, both Prime Minister Blair and myself, that we fully agree with the definition of strategic relationship presented by Premier Wen, it means that we put the big picture in front of minor problems that might appear precisely because the relationship is growing and developing and very fast in a very wide number of sectors. We believe that we have big responsibilities in the world and the economic rise of China is a very important development, so we have now to show this leadership and responsibility in a co-operative spirit, that is what we mean by a strategic approach to our relations. And if you look to the 26 points of our joint statement you will see a lot of fields in which we have a concrete translation of this political will. And in this very summit we have decided to launch new dialogues in very important sectors from climate change to labor and employment conditions, so I think that is the way to proceed, concrete steps, pragmatic, but keeping in mind that all those concrete and pragmatic steps translate to an overall will of a strategic closer relationship between China and the European Union.
Question:
This is a question for Prime Minister Wen. Now that we know that there has been a deal reached on textiles, I wonder if you could give us some more details about this agreement, and also does China consider this deal as being fair for its textile industry? Another question, just to follow up. Another issue next to textiles that worries very much the European public is the issue of Chinese illegal migration to Europe, I wonder if there is any progress being made on the negotiation of the readmission agreement?
Premier Wen:
With regard to the result of the textile consultations, I recommend you to wait for a little more time. I can assure you that the result is fair and equitable, it is acceptable to both sides and conducive to both the business communities and the consumers.
In the talks we had just now, we did not go through the specifics about this question, but I would like to use this opportunity to demonstrate the views of the Chinese government on this issue. We in China are firmly opposed to illegal immigration because this not only affects our relations with other countries, but it is also detrimental to the interests of the Chinese people. At the same time we believe that between China and the European countries there should be convenience and facility for the normal travels and exchanges between our people. These two points combined form a complete viewpoint of the Chinese government and we hope there can be agreement reached between our two sides.
