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News article29 September 2023Directorate-General for Environment4 min read

European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius visits China to step up dialogue on environment and discuss European Green Deal priorities

Visit by Virginijus Sinkevičius, European Commissioner, to China

From 22 – 26 September, European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevičius visited China for the first time. In a world where both sides are facing extreme weather events and environmental challenges, intensifying EU-China green cooperation is becoming ever more relevant. The aim of the visit was to follow up on the High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue held on 4 July 2023 between the EU and China,  engage in key political dialogues on biodiversity, ocean governance, environment and water as well as launch the high-level dialogue on circular economy. 

Commissioner Sinkevičius said:

With this visit we are continuing a very fruitful collaboration with China on biodiversity, pollution, oceans, sustainable use of resources, water and circular economy, building on the momentum that has been created since the successful adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. We’re also opening up new avenues of cooperation on topics of strategic significance to the EU such as deforestation-free supply chains. All these areas are interlinked and can only be tackled with a whole-of-government and whole-of-the-economy approach, on a global level. Closer and continuous engagement with China is key to achieving this.

The 9th EU-China Environment Policy dialogue, which took place on Monday, discussed biodiversity, waste, the continuing cooperation to curb air pollution, as well as ongoing multilateral processes. On multilateral developments, the dialogue focused on the need to maintain the ambition of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework in the run-up to COP16, while stressing the importance of advancing international negotiations to tackle plastic pollution. 

On Tuesday, Commissioner Sinkevičius took part in the first High-Level Dialogue on Circular Economy in Beijing, with Zhao Chenxin, Vice-Chairman of China’s National Development and Reform Commission. The meeting was an occasion for both parties to reaffirm their commitment to close cooperation on environmental matters, and it culminated with the agreement to renew the Memorandum of Understanding on Circular Economy first signed by both parties in 2018.  

The High-Level Dialogue addressed policy developments on plastics, including international negotiations, batteries and remanufacturing. Both parties agreed on the joint development of a cooperation roadmap on circular economy. The aim is to complete the roadmap in the coming months so as to start its roll out in 2024. The EU-China cooperation on circular economy will also benefit from the support of a new EU-funded project currently being developed providing i.e. technical assistance, support to pilot testing and best practice. The project will be implemented over a period of three years starting in early 2024. 

Commissioner Sinkevičius further attended the second meeting of the China-EU Water Policy Dialogue, held in Beijing. The dialogue showcased the commitment of both sides to address increasing water stress nationally, regionally and globally, and to continue collaboration on the issues of common interest, such as integrated water resources management, the water-energy-food-ecosystems nexus, water security, adaptation to the impact of climate change, flood risk and drought management, an effective deployment of nature-based solutions, and the use of disruptive technologies for efficient decision making.  

Furthermore, the meeting provided an opportunity to reflect on the successful EU-China cooperation during the March UN Water Conference, resulting in a call for action to all partners to implement the conclusions of Interactive Dialogue “Water for Sustainable Development” and ensure the implementation of the Water Action Agenda – the key outcome of the UN 2023 Water Conference.  

The Commissioner called for joint efforts to address the accelerating global water crisis, with the engagement of sectors beyond water and environment, particularly agriculture, energy and finance. Both parties committed to intensify policy dialogue on water, exchange knowledge and best practices on water reuse, flood risk and drought management.  

Finally, in a workshop on deforestation with private and public stakeholders, Commissioner discussed efforts to address deforestation and deforestation-free supply chains. 

Background 

The triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, compounded by our excessive use of resources is the defining challenge of our times. During her visit to China in April 2023, President von der Leyen stressed that, in view of the size of their economies, both the EU and China have a shared responsibility in resolving global issues, for example, first and foremost, to protect the climate and to protect our environment. 

The EU and China have been enjoying a very fruitful collaboration on environment, especially during the negotiations on the Montreal-Kunming Global Biodiversity Framework and the High Seas Treaty. Both demonstrated strong commitment to environmental leadership, in particular through the work of the High-Level Environment and Climate Dialogue. In the next period, EU-China engagement will focus on making these deliverables concrete.  

Over the past two decades, China has made major strides in improving its overall environmental quality. Despite China’s progress in environmental protection, the country has faced a series of significant environmental challenges as a result of its continuous economic growth and industrial production. This includes poor air quality, soil pollution and poor water quality, with 70% of rivers and lakes unsafe for human use and half of the population lacking access to safe drinking water. 

Circular economy is a central feature of the EU’s drive to achieve a zero-carbon economy by 2050 and is key to halting biodiversity loss and delivering zero pollution. China has a long-standing interest in circular economy and has developed specific legislation supporting its transition.

Details

Publication date
29 September 2023
Author
Directorate-General for Environment

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