China and Europe sign Memorandum of Understanding

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email

Suspicions of the strength of German influence over European politics appear to not be unfounded. Earlier this week, German Chancellor Angela Merkel called for dialogue between the Chinese and European Commission. It has been announced that the EC and China’s Ministry of Commerce have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Brussels to increase cooperation between the EC’s competition department and China’s antitrust authorities. High representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Catherine Ashton, in her capacity as Commission vice president, Zhang Ping, chairman of the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission and Fu Shuangjan, vice minister of the State Administration of Industry and Commerce attended the meeting in Brussels.

Reuters reports Chancellor Merkel said, “We want a dialogue… This is not just Germany's wish but also the European Commission's wish. We want to solve this conflict politically.”

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Unlock unlimited access for 12 whole months of distinctive global analysis

Photovoltaics International is now included.

  • Regular insight and analysis of the industry’s biggest developments
  • In-depth interviews with the industry’s leading figures
  • Unlimited digital access to the PV Tech Power journal catalogue
  • Unlimited digital access to the Photovoltaics International journal catalogue
  • Access to more than 1,000 technical papers
  • Discounts on Solar Media’s portfolio of events, in-person and virtual

Or continue reading this article for free

Such anti-dumping investigations take time, she added, which presented an opportunity for dialogue.

Coincidently, it was Germany-based SolarWorld that brought the petition against Chinese manufacturers to the European Commission. Before the European Commission had even released a preliminary statement, German environment minister Peter Altmaier offered the government’s support to German solar companies’ efforts to launch antidumping proceedings in the EU against the Chinese.

The Memorandum of Understanding creates a dedicated framework to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the Commission and two of China's Anti Monopoly Enforcement Authorities, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) and the State Administration of Industry and Commerce (SAIC).

The Memorandum covers legislation, enforcement and technical cooperation regarding cartels, other restrictive agreements and the abuse of dominant market positions.

The conclusion of a Memorandum of Understanding sends a positive signal for an intensified cooperation on competition matters between the EU and China, the second most important trading partner of the EU. Under the new framework, the parties may engage in discussions on competition legislation and share non-confidential information on competition investigations.

Joaquín Almunia, Commission vice president in charge of competition policy said, “The Memorandum of Understanding is an important step and a sign of our commitment to further deepen our already excellent relations with the Chinese Anti Monopoly Enforcement Authorities. It will give new impetus to our cooperation with China in the enforcement of our respective competition laws”.

Read Next

May 29, 2025
Beleaguered Swiss solar manufacturer Meyer Burger has reportedly laid off an unconfirmed number of employees at its US module manufacturing facility.
Premium
May 29, 2025
PV Talk: Global Solar Council CEO Sonia Dunlop tells Shreeyashi Ojha why the solar industry needs collective action to combat political and supply-chain disruption.
May 29, 2025
Researchers have developed a new methodology they hope will improve the modelling of the impact of different types of dust on PV performance.
May 28, 2025
The expansion is 100% compliant with the Indian government's requirement of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).
May 28, 2025
Arevon Energy has finalised US$98 million in tax equity financing for a 265MW portfolio currently under construction in Indiana.
May 28, 2025
The German state of North Rhine-Westphalia has launched a Federal Council initiative to accelerate the development of floating solar (FPV) on artificial lakes.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
June 17, 2025
Napa, USA
Upcoming Webinars
June 30, 2025
10am PST / 6pm BST
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
July 8, 2025
Asia