Earlier this spring, I headed the biggest Commission delegation ever to travel to a third country, for a meeting with Premier Wen Jiabao to strengthen EU-China cooperation on sustainable development and trade. Indeed, new vistas of cooperation were opened up on that occasion. I am confident that tomorrow’s ASEM Summit and our EU/China Summit on 1 December in Lyon will move our partnership further forward.
One issue, however, deserves sustained political attention from leaders on both sides: the trade deficit. We know that this in part reflects the growing competitiveness of Chinese products. But we must also recognise that other factors are involved, which can and must be corrected. We need to work together, in a spirit of reciprocity, to eliminate obstacles preventing the access, in many sectors, of European goods and services to the Chinese market.
Our cooperation in the fight against climate change is particularly important. We all now know that climate change is real, that it is caused by human activity, and that its consequences are universal and will be felt first and foremost by the poorest. Yes, it is true that the state of our planet today is a result of industrialization that began generations ago in developed countries. At that time none of us was aware of the consequences. But now we know, and we know that there is no solution without unity.
The European Union, responsible for just 14% of greenhouse gas emissions, is taking action to reduce emissions by 20%. But we obviously cannot do it alone. It will serve little purpose if other countries, including China, a huge consumer of fossil fuels, do not join in common action.
Yes, there is a cost to reducing emissions, but the cost of global warming and not just in the long term is going to be far higher, including for China.
Furthermore, policies and investments dedicated to energy saving as well as replacing polluting energy sources with new and renewable sources of energy will also foster growth, technological development and employment. It is important that efforts to combat climate change stay on track, despite the financial turmoil. Combating climate change is an objective not only for us but also for the future of mankind.
Let me conclude,
It is for us today to chart the course for the future. Our mutual dependency will continue to grow and the interactions between us will continue to multiply. We on the European side are eager to strengthen our cooperation with China in order to meet challenges of tomorrow. In doing so we must work within a comprehensive, strategic partnership keeping mutual interest and concerns in mind. We must and will continue to view the relationship from a strategic perspective.
My meetings with President Hu and with Premier Wen during this visit, will provide an excellent opportunity to review our relationship and chart the course for the future continued strengthening of EU-China relations. I hope you will all take part in that endeavour.
Thank you.
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