Brussels, 06/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - As part of the official visit of the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao to Brussels on 5 and 6 May, the Commission announced the signature of an agreement to set up competition dialogue between the EU and China. The agreement was signed by the Competition Commissioner, Mario Monti, and the Chinese Trade Minister Bo Xilai. It will serve as a basis for formal dialogue, the first of its kind initiated by China with a third country, with the aim of setting up a permanent framework for consultation and transparency. More specifically, both sides will focus on removing cartels and abuses of dominant positions, via an exchange of views on the fight against international cartels, will discuss checks on mergers in a global economy, and the liberalisation of public sectors with the role of the State in the market process. Meetings will take place at least once a year in Brussels or Beijing. Commissioner Monti said that he was "delighted to see the increased prominence competition policy has gained in China", which "can only be to the benefit of Chinese consumers and of all companies that do business in the worlds biggest and most dynamic market".