EU Tour – Meeting with Commissioner Bienkowska, DG Grow
2016-01-26 | Beijing
JW gave an overview of the overall economic and business climate as well as developments over the last year (trade stats, stock exchange, 3rd Plenum, Chamber’s Position Paper highlights, AIIB, SHFTZ, OBOR, CAI, rising debt levels, symbolic announcements but limited substantive progress, and expectations of further RMB devaluation of 5% this year, coast does well, the interior suffers, outflow of capital 100billion/month).
JW said that we very much need the CAI. Bienkowka expressed reserves about giving China MES but she noted that there are mixed views with other Commissioners. Both JW and Commissioner Bienkowska agree that Parliament was unsupportive of granting MES. Bienkowksa asked what we wanted and what to tell China. Both JW and MH asked her to help ensure equal treatment and to remind China that the EU is open and that China should be too.
JW briefed her on XJP and the level of control that China is implementing (NGOs, internet, secure and controllable)
Bienkowska asked when would be a good time to come to China and hinted she may come in September.