EU, China hold high-level dialogue on digital cooperation

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 11:33 (GMT+7)

(CPV) - On September 18, Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing held talks with Vice President of the European Commission (EC) Vera Jourova in Beijing within the framework of the 2nd High-Level Dialogue on Digital Cooperation.

During the talks, the two sides discussed a range of important issues related to digital technology and policy, including data regulation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cross-border data flows. The European Union (EU) and China also resumed their ICT Dialogue.

The two sides agreed to promote an open, fair and non-discriminatory environment for the development of the digital economy . EC Vice President Vera Jourova expressed concern about the difficulties EU companies face when doing business in China, especially in using data related to the country's industrial sectors.

The two sides also agreed to promptly exchange information on unsafe products sold online, and to regularly organize workshops to exchange information and understanding on laws, regulations and best practices for implementing such regulations in practice. In addition, the two sides agreed to organize specific activities on training and awareness raising on EU product safety regulations for companies selling online.

Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing said at the dialogue that China welcomes companies from all over the world, including the EU, to share opportunities in developing the digital economy, aiming to achieve win-win results.

The talks come amid growing tensions between China and the EU after EC President Ursula von der Leyen announced an investigation into Chinese government subsidies for domestic electric vehicle manufacturers over concerns they were harming the competitiveness of European companies.

Beijing has denounced the investigation as “blatant protectionism” and warned that it would harm economic relations between the two sides. “This is a blatant protectionist act that will seriously disrupt and distort the supply chain of the global auto industry, including that in the EU, and will have a negative impact on China-EU economic and trade relations,” China’s Ministry of Commerce said in a statement.

A decade ago, the EU and China were on the brink of a trade war, when the EU planned to launch an anti-dumping investigation into Chinese solar panels.

China's anti-subsidy investigation into electric cars is not only aimed at Chinese brands but also foreign brands manufactured in China such as Tesla, Renault and BMW./.

H.Ha (According to Reuters, ec.europa.eu)

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