On 8 December 2004, an EU/China summit was held in The Hague. In his capacity as President of the Council of the European Union Prime Minister Balkenende received Mr. Wen Jiabao, the Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China. Also representing the EU were EU Commission President José Manuel Durão Barroso, EU High Representative Javier Solana, European Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner and the Dutch Minister of Foreign Affairs Bernard Bot.

It was the seventh time that high level discussions were held between the EU and China. After the summit Prime Minister Balkenende expressed his satisfaction about the open and constructive attitude displayed by both parties during the discussions. Premier Jiabao also stressed his satisfaction. He is of the opinion that there are no fundamental differences of interest between the EU and China; cooperation is therefore perfectly feasible in spite of cultural and historical differences.

Treaties
Several treaties and agreements in various areas were signed during the summit. The representatives signed agreements regarding science, technology, energy and customs, social security, exchanges with regard to the training of managers, IT and higher education. A treaty was also signed that should strengthen the cooperation with regard to the non-proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Arms embargo
Prime Minister Balkenende informed Premier Wen that there is willingness within the EU to work towards lifting the arms embargo. This must, however, be seen in relation to the adaptation of the EU code of conduct for arms exporters. Prime Minister Balkenende stated that he understood that China sees this as a political signal. The EU has given a positive signal, but Prime Minister Balkenende was not prepared to give any guarantees that the embargo will be lifted during the Luxembourg Presidency of the EU. Premier Wen stated that lifting the embargo would bring an end to political discrimination against China.

Human rights
Human rights were also discussed. Prime Minister Balkenende stated that democracy is not just about economic relations and cultural contacts. Democracy is also about the democratic rules of the game, about human rights. He expressed his satisfaction about the fact that this subject had been discussed in all openness. The negotiations brought the shared goal of reaching a re-admission agreement a little closer.

Taiwan
Regarding relations between China and Taiwan, the EU has stressed again that it supports a one China policy.

Visit to China
In 2005 China will celebrate the 30th anniversary of its bilateral contacts with the EU. EU Commission President Barroso has accepted China’s invitation to visit the country for the occasion on behalf of the EU. Commission President Barroso believes that great progress will be made in bilateral relations in the next five years.