China says it respects EU laws and standards as 16+1 becomes 17+1 with new member Greece
- Premier Li Keqiang says growing platform is an important ‘supplement’ to Beijing’s relationship with the European Union
- Joint statement includes list of nearly 40 deals signed between China and partner countries on agricultural exports, e-commerce and technology
China pledged to respect EU rules and standards as the summit with Central and Eastern European countries concluded on Friday, with Premier Li Keqiang praising Greece for officially joining the group – making it “17+1”.
Li said the growing platform was an important “supplement” to Beijing’s relationship with the European Union, on the heels of the EU-China summit in Brussels on Tuesday. The EU is China’s largest trading partner, with both sides trading more than €1.5 billion (US$1.9 million) worth of goods every day.
Speaking at the end of the summit in Dubrovnic, Croatia, the Chinese premier said he hoped the cooperation would help deepen Beijing’s relationship with the 28-member bloc.
“We respect the EU’s laws and standards,” Li said. “We all need to increase trade and connect our economies.”
In a joint statement, the two sides lent support to EU initiatives including the EU-China Comprehensive Investment Agreement, which Brussels and Beijing on Tuesday committed to complete before the end of 2020, in time for the next EU-China summit.
