China and EU Hold Second Trade Consultation Meeting in Beijing

Xinhua News Agency reported that China and the European Union held the second regular meeting of their trade and investment consultation mechanism in Beijing on October 8 to 9. Grounded in their positioning as stable and balanced key trading partners, both sides reviewed consultation progress, conducted discussions on key economic and trade topics under the World Trade Organization framework, formed a list of consensus outcomes, and released a joint statement. The consultation yielded a consensus list of 16 specific items spanning trade and investment balance, export controls, intellectual property rights, and World Trade Organization reform. Both parties recognized the session as a new starting point rather than an endpoint, expressing confidence in their ability to resolve issues by adhering to mutual respect and addressing legitimate concerns. Amid expanding unilateralism and protectionism, both sides emphasized the value of the rules-based multilateral trading system, expressed support for World Trade Organization reform, and reiterated the importance of adhering to multilateral trade rules to protect global trade order and stable bilateral relations.