The European Union and China, 1949-2008: Basic Documents and Commentary (China and International Economic Law, Volume 3)

This book is a comprehensive reference book and a commentary on the basic documents regarding relations between the EU and the People's Republic of China from 1949 to 2006. It contains all significant official and unofficial documents, in English and Chinese, about EU-China relations since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Since the opening-up of China in 1979, and especially after the establishment of the EU in 1992, relations between the EU and China have developed apace. Today, the EU and China are 'strategic partners' with a very broad-based relationship extending far beyond trade to encompass a growing number of important economic, political, social, and cultural domains. The relationship is certain to gain in importance with increasing globalization, EU expansion, Chinese membership of the World Trade Organization, the renewal and development of China, changes in the international trading system, and changes in international politics. The book provides an indispensable foundation for teaching, research, policy-making, and advising on EU-China relations. It includes both documents originally published in English and English translations of documents previously available only in Chinese. Essential to every library, it will also be required reading for students, teachers, researchers, policy-makers, legal practitioners, and government officials in the EU, China, the US, and elsewhere.