On September 22 and 23, the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China embarked on the Brussels Circuit, our annual trip to Europe to meet with officials from the EU Commission, the EU-China Business Association (EUCBA) and UNICE. A delegation from the European Cham-ber, including the Chamber President, a number of the Advisory Council and Chairmen of certain Working Groups, participated in the high level meetings during the Brussels Circuit.

Chamber meets the Ambassador of the PRC to the EU

On September 21, the European Chamber, on the Brussels Circuit 2005, had the honor of hosting a dinner at which H.E. Guan Chengyuan, the Ambassador for China to the European Union, was the guest of honor.

The dinner was attended by the Ambas sador, accompanied by his spouse, two Minister Counselors and two Counsel-ors, along with the Chamber President, the Chairmen of the Shanghai Chamber Board, the Executive General Manager of the Chamber and representatives from the IT&T, IPR, Public Procurement and Cosmetics Working Groups.

The Ambassador described the recent EU-China Business Summit, organized by the European Chamber & CCPIT with the assistance of the British Embassy, the EU Delegation, MOFCOM, CBBC and the British Chamber, as a "great success" and "fundamental to develop further coopera-tion between the EU and China". He also emphasized the importance of the Business Declaration signed on this occasion by all of the business organizations involved in the Summit.

Chamber presents the 2005 Position Paper to the European Business Community

On September 22, the European Chamber presented the 2005 Position Paper to the European Business Community in Brus-sels. Underlining the strong cooperation between the European Chamber and the EU Delegation in Beijing, Serge Janssens de Varebeke, European Chamber President, focused on strengthening the dialogue that continues to evolve between the European Chamber and Chinese Authorities. Empha-sis was placed on the role of the newly- released 2005 Position Paper, which will permit enhanced cooperation between all parties. Serge Janssens de Varebeke also outlined the rapid advancement of the European Chamber, both in terms of its growing membership and Chapter cover age throughout China.

In his speech, Rupert Schlegelmilch, Head of the European Commission's Unit for Bilateral Trade Relations with China, stressed the fundamental role that the European Chamber is playing in feeding debate on Sino-European trade policy. The Chamber's on-the-ground research, analysis and policy prescriptions are vital to the Commission's decision-making. Presenting a united voice that represents European Business in China is essential if the EU Commission wishes to ensure successful policy and trade negotiations. He also stressed that colleagues at the EU Commission dealing with countries other than China were missing out on the input his department had been receiving from the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China.

Referring to EU trade policy with China, Mr Schlegelmilch described China as a con-tinued opportunity for European businesses. Indeed, it is the responsibility of the European Commission to ensure that European business can continue to develop under a fair and competitive system. Europe, a global leader in high-tech skills and knowledge, has a great deal to offer China, a market that currently represents only 5 percent of total EU exports. While many perceive the intensi.cation of Chinese exports to Europe and the resulting trade deficit as a growing threat, the slow-down in exports from other Asian countries to Europe means that such concern may be unfounded.

Of the issues covered in this year's Position Paper, IPR remains one of the key issues of concern to European businesses operating in China. What is more, a growing number of Chinese companies are voicing their concern as they become increasingly aware of the fundamental importance of IPR protection in ensuring the long-term prosperity of their organizations. To this end, the EU Commission, together with the Chinese Authorities, has es-tablished a joint Working Group on IPR laws enforcement in which the European Chamber will be asked to be involved. Another key issue of concern was Public Procurement. It remains uncertain when and whether China will begin negotiations on joining the GPA. Overall improvements in regulatory transpar-ency were also suggested.