Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for regional policy, will make an official visit to China on 20 November to take part in the third EU-China High Level Seminar on regional policy. The event, which takes place in the Yangtze River port city of Chongqing in western China, is an opportunity to take stock of progress since the signing of the 2006 Memorandum of Understanding on EU-China regional policy cooperation. Commissioner Hübner and Du Ying, Vice-Chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), will address the seminar and conclude an agreement on the next steps for EU-China cooperation.
"This seminar marks a further step in strengthening bilateral cooperation on regional policy between the EU and China. We have a strong and growing partnership which delivers benefits for both parties. The meeting will provide an opportunity to consider the results of our initial work and steer our future cooperation," said Commissioner Hübner ahead of her visit.
Joint EU-China regional policy study
High-level officials from both EU and Chinese government departments will participate in the conference. In her keynote speech, Commissioner Hübner will provide an overview of developments to date, highlighting in particular the major joint EU-China regional policy study which is nearing completion. The study – financed by the EU under its EU-China Policy Dialogue Support Facility – compares key aspects of regional policy in China and in the EU. It focuses on three main aspects: the classification of regions for policy purposes, regional governance issues, and the role of regional policy in promoting innovation and improving competitiveness. It examines in particular how regional policy can stimulate economic growth in regions which are lagging behind and help narrow income disparities.
The study will provide examples of good practice on subjects ranging from how regions can contribute to mitigating global warming, to how urban and rural development can boost economic growth and help manage migratory flows.
Common challenges
Commissioner Hübner's speech will also highlight similar challenges faced by the EU and China such as restructuring resulting from globalisation.
In the EU, despite impressive growth rates in the new Member States, one region in four still has a GDP per inhabitant equal to or less than 75% of the EU average. China faces huge regional disparities between the booming coastal areas, where 10 regions account for 58% of national GDP, compared to the 11 regions in the lagging western part of the country which contribute only 13% of GDP.
There is considerable interest in both the EU and China in pursuing an integrated agenda to develop urban-rural linkages - a key discussion topic of the seminar. China in particular, given unprecedented levels of economic growth, industrialisation and urbanisation, is witnessing dramatic population growth in its cities and depopulation of its rural areas, creating pressure on the environment and imbalances in the provision of infrastructure, housing and social services.
The European Cohesion Policy – the major source of financial support from the EU for promoting growth and jobs – is contributing to tackling these challenges in the EU. The new generation of cohesion policy programmes for 2007-13, through targeted investment in innovation and research, business development and skills, is helping to improve the competitiveness of EU regions and also enhancing urban-rural integration.
Next Steps
Two possible initiatives for future EU-China cooperation are under discussion: the establishment of a decentralised network of policy practitioners to disseminate good practice in regional development, and a joint study programme which would commission expert studies on regional development policy-making.
