'Inspiring decisions' should be realized

A day after Beijing and Brussels held their summit, experts on both sides are urging China and the European Union to hammer out a detailed road map and timetable to achieve the goals they set during Premier Li Keqiang's visit to Europe.

"I hope we can take actions to materialize the inspiring decisions they have made, and the deadline is 2020," Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute of Reform and Development, said at the fifth Europe-China Forum held in Brussels.

"We need to form task forces immediately to identify the tasks to match the EU-China development agenda," Chi said.

Chi said it is crucial to take advantage of the synergy between Europe's investment plan and China's Belt and Road Initiative. "Premier Li has suggested the creation of a joint fund, which also needs solid research and quick action," Chi said.

Yang Yanyi, China's ambassador to the EU, said the Monday summit was a substantive, forward-looking and action-oriented meeting. "On behalf of the Chinese government, Premier Li's visit is a symbol of support for a united EU, a strong euro and a prosperous Europe," Yang said.

"Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to bring the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to its full strategic potential by vigorously exploring new dimensions of dialogue and cooperation," she said.

Yang also said dialogue and cooperation will be further strengthened in digital areas and legal affairs in order to promote a sound environment for business cooperation between the two sides.

China and the EU are committed to the continued growth of their partnership through expanded people-to-people exchanges and deepening financial cooperation with the long-term prospect of a comprehensive free trade agreement, Yang said.

However, Chi urged quicker progress toward EU-China free trade talks. "We need a faster pace and hope we can achieve substantial progress before 2020," he said.

Chi said the two sides should support feasibility research for a China-EU free trade zone. "This should be rushed to fit in the new sustainable global economy as well as the new stage that EU-China cooperation is entering."

Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, EU's ambassador to China, said the summit taking place in the same year as the 40th anniversary of the China-EU diplomatic relationship was a good sign for a more intense partnership in which both sides look forward rather than backward.

"One thing that came out of the discussion that I think is important, is our shared interest," he added. "That is really the strong basis for our cooperation, because only if we do have common interest can we really strive from cooperation to a win-win situation."

Gao Shuang contributed to this story.

fujing@chinadaily.com.cn