China, EU hail outcomes of high-level trade dialogue

BRUSSELS - China and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday hailed the outcomes of a high-level trade dialogue in Brussels.

The sixth China-EU High-level Economic and Trade Dialogue was co-chaired by Chinese Vice Premier Ma Kai and European Commission Vice President Jyrki Katainen.

Ma said the dialogue, since inception nine years ago, has played an important role in promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation.

The sixth dialogue held on Tuesday deepens mutual trust, promotes pragmatic cooperation, and actively implements the agreements reached during the 18th China-EU summit and the G20 Hangzhou Summit, Ma said.

Under the theme "strengthening policy coordination, promoting sustainable growth," the sixth dialogue highlighted topics on macro-policy coordination, the Belt and Road Initiative and the China-EU connectivity on development strategy.

At the Dialogue, China and the EU reached consensus on cooperation on digital economy, third-party market and intellectual property rights.

China and the EU should further coordinate on macro-policies and join hands in developing their economies, Ma said, adding that they should also enhance cooperative work on trade and investment.

The Chinese official also proposed the two sides accelerate the connectivity of development strategies, so as to push for economic and trade cooperation in various fields.

China and the EU should embrace the New Industrial Revolution for innovation and sustainable growth, Ma noted.

Ma pointed out that as a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the EU should fully fulfill its obligations under Article 15 of the Protocol on China's accession to the WTO.

Article 15 requires WTO members to stop using an alternative calculation method in anti-dumping investigations against China after Dec 11 this year.

Stressing that the EU pays high attention to the trade dialogue with China, Katainen said the bloc is willing to strengthen coordination on macro-policies with Beijing and will make efforts to fulfill the obligations aforementioned.

Ma also met with European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Tuesday.