In a statement, the entity expressed expectations that the European side will bring several economic concerns of companies operating in China to the summit, including the need to rebalance trade exchanges and remove regulatory obstacles that limit market entry.
European companies also hope the summit will address “increasing localization requirements,” which hinder foreign firms’ participation in public procurement processes, as well as recent Chinese controls on the export of rare earth elements, which are strategic raw materials for sectors like technology, aerospace, and renewable energies.
Despite the existing challenges in the bilateral relationship, the Chamber deemed that the continuation of high-level meetings “demonstrates pragmatism” and could create conditions for “more concrete advancements” in future meetings.
The entity also expressed the desire for the summit to conclude with a formal acknowledgment of areas where “cooperation continues to be possible and necessary,” such as the green transition and climate change mitigation.
The China-European Union summit takes place this Thursday in Beijing, commemorating 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two parties.
The participation of Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President António Costa is expected.
António Costa stated on Monday that the bilateral relationship plays a “crucial” role globally and expressed the intention to discuss all points of the common agenda with Chinese authorities.
Brussels has already indicated that it will address topics such as access to the Chinese market, the war in Ukraine, climate change, and the situation in the Middle East.
