Energy and climate cooperation still key for China-EU ties

MUCH attention has focused on the chill in ties between Brussels and Beijing in recent years. However, ahead of the EU-China summit in Beijing on Thursday, there are still potential areas of deep bilateral cooperation.

Perhaps the standout example is climate change which has been an issue helping to define bilateral ties in the 21st century. So much so, in fact, that the EU Emissions Trading System was very influential in China’s design of its own carbon markets.

Earlier this month, the two powers held their latest high-level summit on the environment and climate. On the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties, both are hoping to further promote the effective implementation of the 2015 Paris Agreement.