08/03/2021 (Agence Europe) – China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi reaffirmed, during his annual speech on 7 March, China’s intention to comply with the expectations of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment with the European Union. “I can tell you clearly that China will fulfil its obligations under the agreement, including the implementation of efforts to achieve the signing of the relevant International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions”, he said. China has, in fact, pledged, as part of the agreement, to make efforts to sign the four ILO core conventions it has not yet ratified, including on forced labour. Some of the EU Member States and the European Parliament would like to see China sign and implement these conventions before proceeding to the ratification of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (see EUROPE 12667/14, 12665/18). (LM)