EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan called on Beijing to make concrete progress in opening its markets.
The European Union wants to conclude a comprehensive investment agreement by 2020, he said on 20 January at an event organised by BusinessEurope, the organisation representing major European companies.
“Meeting halfway will not work for the EU, as our market is largely open”, he warned, recalling that substance must however prevail over the speed of the negotiations.
Mr Hogan underlined the European Commission's commitment to rebalancing the trade relationship with Beijing.
He recalled that in 2020, a series of high-level events would be held, with an EU/China summit in China in spring and another in early autumn in Germany. A high-level dialogue is expected to take place shortly.
At the same time, a 26th round of negotiations, with a view to sealing the investment agreement, is expected to be concluded as early as 21 January. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)