China, EU BIT talks gain steam

Premier Li praises bilateral ties with Belgium while in capital

China and the European Union have made more efforts in promoting the negotiation for a bilateral investment treaty, Premier Li Keqiang said.

Li made the remark to the press with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel in Brussels on Wednesday. The two leaders had talks before meeting reporters.

Noting that the proposed BIT between China and the EU was discussed during his talks with Michel, Li said he will also discuss the issue of accelerating BIT negotiations with EU leaders while at the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting summit, which will kick off on Thursday.

"The treaty will help China and the EU further open to one another," he said. He pointed out that the treaty will also contribute to forging free trade and fair cooperation on investment between China and the EU.

China is ready to ease market access for investors from Belgium and provide them with the same treatment as local businesses, he said.

He said that China is willing to further enhance cooperation with Belgium in innovation and high-technology under the principle of paying full respect to law and commitment from both sides.

Cooperation in technology and innovation as well as safe use of nuclear energy were among the topics of their talks, Li said.

"We believe that advanced technologies from Belgium will have great market potential in China, and China will give strict protections to intellectual property," Li said, adding that the two countries enjoy large potential for cooperation.

China is willing to promote its cooperation with the EU, through enhancing cooperation with Belgium, he said.

China is also willing to jointly work with Belgium in maintaining and promoting a rules-based international order and free trade, Li said.

"China is now working on the procedure of lifting the ban on imports of beef from Belgium, and we will accelerate the process," Li said. "We are ready to expand imports of high quality agriculture products from Belgium."

Michel said that Belgium places high importance on developing its relations with China. He said the country is willing to enhance cooperation with China in areas of agriculture, energy, infrastructure and connectivity, and is willing to enhance communication with China under the United Nations framework.