By Bruno Waterfield - 4th September 2005
Monday's EU-China summit is expected to conclude with a declaration on climate change and European provision of clean coal power technology.
Officials and ministers are also expected to sign memoranda on social protection, geographical indicators protecting European products and environment measures.
The European delegation is led by UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, current holder of the EU presidency, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso.
Chinese leaders Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao will discussing moves for Beijing to reach EU market economy status – recognition that could further ease restrictions on the country’s exports to Europe.
The political climate has not been eased by an EU-China textile crisis, though a last minute deal has prevented the issue overshadowing the summit.
A new ‘Memorandum of Understanding’ between the EU and China will open a series of meetings on employment and social affairs issues.
Each side will visit the other at least once a year in Brussels and Beijing alternately, under an agreement signed by European Commissioner for Employment and Social Affairs Vladimír Špidla.
“China has shown particular interest in the EU's experience in the area of social security systems [and the] integrated approach to competition, employment and social cohesion," he said in a statement.
EU-China agreements to be signed on September 5
- Dialogue on employment and social affairs
- Two agreements on on geographical indication
- A Chinese Science and Technology Year in Europe
- A protocol extending an existing maritime agreement to new EU member states that joined in May 2004
- A joint statement on space exploitation
- Two environment projects on biodiversity worth €55 million
- A European Investment Bank loan worth €500m
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