China News Agency, Berlin, December 31 (Reporter Peng Dawei) On the 30th, the leaders of China and Europe jointly announced the completion of the China-EU investment agreement negotiations as scheduled.

In this regard, in an interview with a reporter from China News Agency that day, people from the European Union’s multinational economic circles said that in the context of the global situation that the world is still trapped by the new crown epidemic, it is particularly important for the two sides to complete the agreement negotiations on schedule.

Interviewees believe that the agreement is expected to release the potential for cooperation between Europe and China, marking a big step forward for the development of bilateral economic and trade relations.

　　"The agreement between the EU and China is a big step forward in the development of economic and trade relations between the two sides." Professor Dr. Horst Loechel (Prof. Dr. Horst Loechel), Director of the Sino-German Financial and Economic Center of the Frankfurt School of Finance and Management, Germany It was pointed out that the primary benefit of the agreement is that it will promote direct investment between Europe and China, and it will also play a positive role in the overall trade exchanges between the two sides.

　　Christoph Leitl, President of the European Federation of Industry and Commerce (Eurochambres), which is headquartered in Brussels and represents the interests of more than 20 million member companies across Europe, pointed out that the EU and China are the world's two major economic engines. The investment agreement signed by the two parties this time It is undoubtedly of vital importance to both the EU and China.

　　"Considering that the world is still fighting the new crown epidemic, the epidemic will bring shock and impact to the business community of both sides at the economic and strategic levels. In this context, the importance of the agreement is even more prominent." Christopher Lighter Said.

　　Michael Schumann, chairman of the German Federal Economic Development and Foreign Trade Association (BWA), expressed a warm welcome to the completion of the agreement negotiations as scheduled.

He pointed out that the successful conclusion of the agreement means that several bilateral agreements between China and EU member states will be replaced by a coordinated framework agreement between the EU and China before the Lisbon Treaty takes effect in 2009.

　　"This provides more certainty for companies in the two economies of Europe and China. The agreement not only makes it easier for European companies to enter the Chinese market, but also tries to protect the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese companies in the EU. Trade and development between Europe and China Investment will benefit from it.” He also reminded that before the agreement officially enters into force, the approval barriers must still be overcome within Europe.

"We hope this can be done as soon as possible."

　　Interviewees generally believe that, in the context of China's first economic recovery, the completion of agreement negotiations can increase the momentum for EU companies to get out of the epidemic.

　　Vassilis Korkidis, chairman of the Piraeus Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Greece, noted that China’s economy is showing signs of continued recovery. “Despite the new crown epidemic, China’s economic growth has rebounded strongly. Exports increased by 7.6% in October. The EU is one of China's largest trading partners in the world. Therefore, the two sides can expect that the signing of the agreement will release the potential for growth in trade and investment between the two sides in the future."

　　Vasilis Korkidis said that it is worth noting that although China experienced the epidemic at the beginning of this year, foreign capital is still optimistic about China.

Taking Shanghai as an example, he pointed out that in the first three quarters of this year, 758 regional headquarters of multinational companies and 475 foreign R&D centers have settled in Shanghai, China, making it the main gateway for multinational companies in Asia.

At present, the added value of Shanghai's financial industry has exceeded that of London and Tokyo.

The actual use of foreign capital in the first three quarters of this year was US$15.515 billion, a year-on-year increase of 6.1%.

　　"It is obvious that the agreement will allow Greek companies to benefit from entering the huge Chinese market. It is also obvious that the agreement will contribute to the further development of cooperation between Greece and China in the shipping field." He said, Birei Eves’ companies look forward to expanding cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of shipbuilding and ship maintenance.

　　The head of the Department of Treaty and Law of the Ministry of Commerce of China stated on the 30th that the China-EU Investment Agreement is a balanced, high-level, mutually beneficial and win-win agreement that is based on international high-level economic and trade rules and focuses on institutional openness.

Among them, the agreement makes special provisions on environmental and labor issues related to investment. Both parties will promote investment that is conducive to the realization of sustainable development goals, handle the relationship between attracting investment and protecting the environment and labor rights, and comply with relevant international commitments.

　　"In the post-epidemic world, the cooperation between the EU and China in many areas will be of unprecedented importance." When it comes to cooperation between the two sides on issues such as sustainability, Christopher Leiter said that the important content of EU-China cooperation includes not only Cooperating at the economic and trade level to ensure rapid economic recovery, "including jointly responding to the urgent global challenges facing mankind, such as tackling climate change and ensuring that the economy transitions to a sustainable model."

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