The foreign ministry says that it will closely monitor developments in the implementation of an investment agreement between the EU and China. That was the word from Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Joanne Ou on Thursday.
Ou’s comments came a day after the trade pact was confirmed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and EU leaders.
Ou said that while the EU-China investment agreement is a done deal, there are concerns in the EU about China’s use of forced labor, as well as human rights violations, market access, sustainable development, and protection of intellectual property rights. Misgivings about China’s use of economic measures to force diplomatic outcomes also remain.
Ou said that the EU-China trade pact still requires approval from EU member countries before it become valid. She said the government will continue monitoring how the trade pact is implemented while cooperating with friendly countries to push for a rules-based global trade order.
Meanwhile, Ou said that Taiwan and the EU are still discussing cooperation and will exchange views on medical matters, intellectual property rights, and food safety inspections.