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#Breaking China has made an “important commitment” to “make continued and sustained efforts” to pursue ratification of International Labour Organization’s fundamental conventions on forced labour, the European Commission said in a memo to the European Parliament seen by the SCMP.
The European Commission further noted that the agreement “does not take away the need for the EU to develop autonomous instruments to fight against forced labour”.
The EU “will remain uncompromising as to using all tools possible to eradicate any form of forced labour”, Commission said in a bid to convince doubtful MEPs. “The link between investment and labour is undeniable and CAI has a role to play.”
A snapshot of the Commission’s view on this issue deemed crucial to most MEPs
Moving on to sustainability, where the Commission also sounded positive about its achievement:
“For the first time, China has agreed to solid provisions on sustainable development, including in relation to environment and climate, such as implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
“For the first time, China has agreed to solid provisions on sustainable development, including in relation to environment and climate, such as implementation of the Paris Agreement.”
EU will continue to work with the US and caution against MEPs treating the China deal as a panacea to resolve all challenges posed by Beijing.
Further on the point of transatlantic alliance, EU also believes that the deal with China will “improve the market access and the level playing field and transparency for OUR PARTNERS [emphasis added] as well”. More here:
![Further on the point of transatlantic alliance, EU also believes that the deal with China will “improve the market access and the level playing field and transparency for OUR PARTNERS [emphasis added] as well”. More here:](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EqaMDESU8AEW8sa.jpg "Further on the point of transatlantic alliance, EU also believes that the deal with China will “improve the market access and the level playing field and transparency for OUR PARTNERS [emphasis added] as well”. More here:")
The note also mentioned a previously unreported phone call between European Commission EVP @VDombrovskis and China’s Vice-Premier Liu He, on December 27.
The two reviewed the overall package, including the level playing field component completed in September.
The two reviewed the overall package, including the level playing field component completed in September.
Timeline ahead:
The conclusion in principle would be a first step in the process towards conclusion of the Agreement (est for early 2022). Substantial technical work would be needed as a matter of priority on the legal texts. This is expected to last at least until mid-Feb 2021.
The conclusion in principle would be a first step in the process towards conclusion of the Agreement (est for early 2022). Substantial technical work would be needed as a matter of priority on the legal texts. This is expected to last at least until mid-Feb 2021.
I’ll end the thread with what I think is a very frank assessment by the Commission. In short: “We can’t really get a better deal than this.”
