The joint statement of the 10th China-EU Summit held in Beijing on November 28 was released. A wide range of topics was discussed during the meeting, but emphasis was placed on issues related to climate change.

Leaders of both sides agreed to enhance political dialogue and consultation at all levels. They reviewed the development of bilateral relations since the establishment of the China-EU Summit in 1998.

The Chinese side said that lifting the EU arms embargo "would be conducive to the sound development of China-EU relations" and urged its lifting at the earliest date.

Both sides also emphasized their commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen dialogue and cooperation in this field.

The EU, the statement said, welcomed China's commitment to ratifying the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) as soon as possible.

China and the EU reiterated their commitment to cooperate with the UN human rights mechanism and their respect for international human rights standards. They pledged to support the UN Human Rights Council.

Regarding trade, leaders agreed to establish by the end of March 2008 a High Level Economic and Trade Dialogue between the European Commission and the State Council of China at the level of Vice-Premier. The Dialogue will discuss issues affecting China-EU trade, such as investment and economic cooperation.

On the issue of climate change, both parties agreed to enhance cooperation on environment protection, with emphasis on areas such as sustainable production and consumption, pollution control and management, natural resource management, river basin management, biodiversity conservation, waste management, and emergency response.

Clean technology was another area of cooperation both parties agreed to strengthen. China and the EU committed to the stabilization of greenhouse gas emissions. They reviewed bilateral relations under the China-EU Partnership on Climate Change and called for progress to be made in areas such as research of near-zero emissions coal power generation technology through carbon capture and storage.

The two sides are also looking into developing concrete projects to strengthen China's participation in the Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.

The leaders present at the Summit stressed the great importance technology will play in solving climate change issues, agreeing to step up cooperation on technology development and transfer. China will receive a loan of 500 million euros from the European Investment Bank to support projects that contribute to combating climate change.

The Summit was attended by Premier Wen Jiabao, Prime Minister Jose Socrates of the Republic of Portugal and President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso.