Brussels, 16/01/2006 (Agence Europe) - In the context of his visit to China (from 16 to 21 January), Environment Commissioner Markos Kyrpianou and the Minister Li Changjliang of the Chinese governmental Agency for Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) signed on Monday, in Beijing, a memorandum of understanding on products exported from China to Europe. The memorandum aims to increase cooperation between the EU and Chinese authorities in order to reduce the number of dangerous and defective consumer products exported to Europe. In addition, it tends to more generally establish better collaboration between the authorities responsible for food safety and health and phytosanitary issues, in order to strengthen the protection of European and Chinese citizens.