2. Celebrating the 40th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations, the Leaders acknowledged that the relationship has made significant strides in the political, economic, social, environmental and cultural fields. The EU supported China’s commitment to deepening reform comprehensively as well as China’s goal of building up a moderately prosperous society in all respects. China expressed its support for the EU’s efforts in promoting growth, investment and regulatory reform plans.

3. Both sides stressed the importance they attach to the China-EU Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in promoting peace, prosperity and sustainable development for the benefit of all. They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their partnership for peace, growth, reform and civilisation, based on the principles of mutual respect, trust, equality and mutually beneficial cooperation, by comprehensively implementing the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation.

4. Both sides fully recognised the progress achieved in the implementation of the China-EU 2020 Strategic Agenda for Cooperation. A bilateral review mechanism at officials’ level will be established to monitor follow-up. Both sides agreed at this Summit on a set of priorities to reinforce their bilateral cooperation and enhance the global dimension of their strategic partnership.

5. Both sides confirmed their strong interest in each other’s flagship initiatives, namely the “Silk Road Economic Belt” and “21st Century Maritime Silk Road” (The Belt and Road Initiative) and the Investment Plan for Europe. Leaders decided to support synergies between these initiatives, and directed the China-EU High-Level Economic and Trade Dialogue in September to develop practical avenues for mutually beneficial co-operation, including through a possible China-EU co-investment vehicle.

6. China and the EU agreed to improve their infrastructure links. They decided to establish a new Connectivity Platform and to convene its first meeting as soon as possible in order to (i) share information, promote seamless traffic flows and transport facilitation, and develop synergies between their relevant initiatives and projects; (ii) identify co-operation opportunities between their respective policies and sources of funding, including The Belt and Road Initiative and Trans-European Networks, and; (iii) actively explore business and investment opportunities open to both China and the European side, and; (iv) create a favourable environment for sustainable and inter-operable cross-border infrastructure networks in countries and regions between China and the EU.

7. Both sides welcomed the conclusion of negotiations on the Articles of Agreement for the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) and recognised the support rendered by the EU and its Member States. They stressed that the AIIB should complement the existing multilateral development banks in addressing Asia’s extensive needs for infrastructure investment in a sustainable manner, and anticipated that it will begin operating at an early date. The EU looked forward to co-operating with the AIIB in the future.

8. Both sides stressed the high importance of close economic, monetary and financial cooperation, and expressed satisfaction with progress made in the China-EU Economic and Financial Dialogue and the Working Group between the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) and the European Central Bank (ECB).

9. Both sides acknowledged the key role of the digital economy in their societies and the importance of close cooperation in that field, and agreed to deepen dialogues and cooperation in areas of ICT. To this purpose the China-EU High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue will dedicate part of its September 2015 meeting in Beijing to the digital economy.

10. China and the EU view the ongoing investment agreement negotiations as one of the most important issues in China-EU bilateral economic and trade relations. While welcoming the progress made so far, the two sides are determined to intensify their efforts aiming at the expeditious conclusion of an ambitious and comprehensive Investment Agreement. This Agreement shall include investment protection, market access and other elements further facilitating investment. The priority for the negotiating teams is now to seek convergence on the scope of the Agreement and establish a joint text by the end of 2015. Negotiating and concluding such a comprehensive China-EU Investment Agreement will convey both sides’ joint commitment towards stronger cooperation as well as their willingness to envisage broader ambitions including, once the conditions are right, towards a deep and comprehensive FTA, as a longer term perspective.

11. Both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to an open global economy and a fair, transparent and rules-based trade and investment environment, guaranteeing a level playing field and opposing protectionism. Both sides will make full use of the existing bilateral mechanisms to strengthen communication, handle major bilateral trade frictions through dialogue and consultation as a preferred option, and, if needed, through negotiations, with an objective of finding mutually beneficial solutions.

12. Both sides agreed to work for the rapid resolution of outstanding issues in order to strive for the early conclusion of the negotiations on a comprehensive Geographical Indications agreement.

13. Both sides reconfirmed the importance of the China-EU IP Dialogue and applauded the progress achieved in the past 10 years. They reconfirmed their commitment to reinforcing cooperation on the protection and enforcement of Intellectual Property. They welcomed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Reinforcing the China-EU IP Dialogue Mechanism, which upgrades the IP Dialogue Mechanism to vice-ministerial level, requests the Dialogue Mechanism to report progress to the China-EU High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue, and sets combating online counterfeiting and piracy as a priority.

14. China and the EU confirmed their commitment to implement the Strategic Framework for Customs Cooperation and the importance of enhancing customs connectivity, implementing mutual recognition of Authorised Economic Operators and fighting against customs fraud, in order to facilitate and accelerate trade and combat illicit flows of goods.

15. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the G20 as the premier forum for international economic co-operation. The EU expressed its support for the Chinese chair of the 2016 G20 Summit and the successful implementation of the G20 comprehensive growth strategies, employment plans and other agreed initiatives. China and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to following WTO rules and to strengthening the multilateral trading system under the WTO by concluding the Doha Development Agenda (DDA), including the entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) by the December 2015 WTO Ministerial Conference. Both sides agreed to work further together to attain concrete outcomes in multilateral and all plurilateral negotiations.

16. Leaders reaffirmed the importance of cooperation in the area of research and innovation as a driver for economic and social development and a key element of China-EU relations. They welcomed the outcome of the High Level Innovation Cooperation Dialogue held in the margins of the Summit. They agreed to work together to harness each other’s comparative advantages in such areas as innovation policy, mobility and training of researchers, commercialisation of R&D results, technology dissemination and sharing of research facilities and framework conditions for innovation. It was agreed to set up a mechanism for jointly financing research and innovation projects in areas of mutual interest, as well as to promote and monitor reciprocity of access to China and the EU’s respective research and innovation funding programmes.

17. Both sides welcomed the deepening of the China-EU Urbanisation Partnership, with active co- operation in urban planning and design, public services, green buildings and smart transportation, and agreed to launch new joint programmes involving Chinese and EU cities and companies. They encouraged both sides to strengthen their dialogue on regional policies, and to promote pragmatic and effective co-operation by expanding the scope of regions involved in pilot projects, and deepening co-operation on twinning.