On 30 December 2020, the EU and China concluded in principle the negotiations on the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). The agreement grants EU investors a greater level of access to China’s market.

In the agreement, China has committed to ensure fairer treatment for EU companies, allowing them to compete on a more level playing field in China. These commitments cover state-owned enterprises, transparency of subsidies, and rules against forced technology transfer.

China also agreed to provisions on sustainable development, including commitments on climate and forced labour.

Both sides agreed to continue the negotiations on investment protection and investment dispute settlement, to be completed within two years of the signature of the agreement.

• Press release