The European Union and China are both global powers of increasing influence in the international arena. Together they account for a quarter of the world´s population. The EU counting for 27 member states became China´s biggest trading partner and China is nowadays the EU´s second largest trading partner after the US. EU-China relations are defined by the EC-China Trade and Cooperation Agreement that was signed in 1985. Since January 2007 a new framework Partnership and Cooperation Agreement is still being negotiated.

Chinese rapid economic growth brings a new period of changes and transformation. With this in mind, the EU pursues several goals as follow: broad and deep political dialogue with China, support of China´s transition into an open society based upon the rule of law and respect for human rights, encouragement of the ongoing integration of China in the world economy and support to the process of economic and social reforms. As far as the international arena is concerned, the EU strives to work together with China in order to contribute constructively and meaningfully to the stability of both entities and the international community as a whole.

Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004. Since its accession, the Czech foreign policy is enhanced and to a certain point formed by the EU common positions, in the creation of which the Czech Republic participated. The common positions concern mainly three key areas of EU-China cooperation: the political dialogue, including the EU-China human rights dialogue, economic and trade relations and the development cooperation including cooperation in the field of the environment protection and climate changes. Within these areas, the Czech Republic focuses mostly on the human rights dialogue with its human rights defenders dimension and on the economic cooperation, especially on conditions for free access to Chinese markets, protection of intellectual property rights and transparent legal framework stimulating business and investment. Consular cooperation within the EU Embassies in China is also of great importance, notably as far as the Schengen visa regime is concerned.

In the first half of the year 2009 the Czech Republic, for the first time in history, holds the rotating Presidency of the  EU Council. In line with its priorities she is ready to contribute and assist the interests of the whole group towards deepening the strategic partnership between the EU and China.

For further information on the EU-China relations please refer to the website of the European Commission Delegation in China: http://www.delchn.ec.europa.eu