On April 19, in Beijing, a meeting of the Joint Commission for Implementing the Agreement on Trade and Economic Cooperation between the Eurasian Economic Union and the PRC was held under the joint chairmanship of Andrey Slepnev, Minister in charge of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Commission, and Li Fei, Assistant Minister of Commerce of the PRC.
The parties highly appreciated the work carried out in 2023 to implement the Agreement.
The progress in implementing the road map for developing trade and economic cooperation between the EAEU and the PRC, approved at the last meeting, was considered in detail. Consensus was reached on the soonest possible finalization of agreements between Russian and Chinese railway carriers and their certification centers to organize paperless international transportation, which will contribute to developing digitalization of transport corridors between the EAEU countries and the PRC.
The parties emphasized the importance of continued consultations concerning the climate agenda, development strategies of the Union and China, market protection measures and e-commerce provided for by the road map. The establishment of regular dialogue in the field of public procurement and inter-exchange cooperation was noted.
In addition, the Joint Commission discussed the results and further steps to expand interaction in the areas of technical regulation, application of SPS measures, customs and sectoral cooperation. Separately, the intention was noted to contribute to the development of the Eurasian Agroexpress project, aimed at accelerated transportation of food products from the EAEU to China by rail.
“Currently, relations between the countries of our Union and the PRC are at an unprecedented high level, which is confirmed by data on the trade turnover growth. In 2023, this figure increased by almost a quarter compared to 2022. I am confident that next year, in addition to traditional issues of trade facilitation, as well as new climate change and e-commerce directions, we will discuss other areas for deepening interaction identified as a result of a joint study conducted by the scientific community of the EAEU and the PRC on the prospects for developing trade and economic cooperation,” Andrey Slepnev said in conclusion.
During his trip, the EEC Minister visited the headquarters of the state-owned company China Railway, where he had consultations with its General Manager Guo Zhuxue, and also held a working meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions of the EAEU Member States.
