China-EU investment talks: both sides upbeat in public but quiet doubts in Beijing about Biden effect

China’s signing on to RCEP and 34th round of talks to hammer out Comprehensive Agreement on Investment bring positive messages

But China observers say a more Europe-friendly US president may tilt the balance and cause the EU to be less willing to compromise

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President-elect Joe Biden is considered to be an Atlanticist who will pursue better relations with Europe. But where does that leave China in the years long bilateral investment treaty talks with the European Union? Photo: AP Photo

Published: 10:00pm, 21 Nov 2020Updated: 11:28pm, 21 Nov 2020

China and the EU are sending positive public messages about progress in their long-running bilateral investment treaty talks but Chinese observers are concerned that the next US administration might weaken desire in Brussels for compromise.

China and the EU held their 34th round of talks this week, with both sides saying advances had been made.

The business sector also noted that China had a greater appetite for new trade deals following the signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) last week.

Nicolas Chapuis, EU ambassador to China, told the South China Morning Post the talks were an “at advanced stage”.

“We remain committed, as agreed by our leaders, to closing the remaining gaps before the end of the year. As the leaders noted, high-level political engagement would be required within the Chinese system to achieve a meaningful agreement,” he said.

On Friday, China’s Ministry of Commerce issued a brief statement unchanged from previous comments, saying only that both sides had discussed the remaining problems on the text as well as market offer lists, and that positive progress was made.

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