On September 12, the 2nd China-EU Geographical Indications Forum, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and the China-EU Association, was held in Zhengzhou. The theme of the forum was “Implementing the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications and Facilitating High-Quality Industrial Development”. Liu Qibao, Vice Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee and President of the China-EU Association, former Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero, and Kong Changsheng, Chairman of the Henan Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, attended the opening ceremony and delivered speeches. Former Irish Prime Minister Ahern delivered a video address at the opening.

Liu pointed out that since the official signing of the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications on September 14, 2020, the value of geographical indication products and export benefits between China and Europe have continued to increase, benefiting enterprises and consumers on both sides. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China made important arrangements for improving the high-level opening-up system, creating new opportunities for expanding cooperation with EU member states. Further efforts are needed to implement the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications, promote the high-quality development of geographical indication industries, continuously enhance the recognition and competitiveness of China-EU geographical indication products, and drive fruitful results in geographical indications and economic cooperation between China and Europe.

Zapatero congratulated the forum on its opening and stated that the signing and implementation of the China-EU Agreement on Geographical Indications exemplifies both sides’ commitment to trade liberalization and facilitation, fully reflecting their determination to pursue free and open trade and to uphold a rules-based multilateral system, as well as their shared goal of advancing an open global economy. He expressed hope that both sides would continue to support each other, closely exchange and cooperate, and promote the full implementation of the agreement, achieving new developments in the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership based on mutual respect, fairness, justice, and win-win cooperation.

Nearly 200 representatives from the China-EU sectors engaged in active discussions on topics including “How Products Protected Under the Agreement from China Enter EU Markets”, “Transportation Channels for China-EU Geographical Indication Products”, and “Geographical Indication Regions in China and Europe: Cultural Heritage and Tourism”. They reached a consensus on the importance of deepening cooperation on geographical indication products and elevating the China-EU economic and trade relationship to new levels. The forum also featured displays of China-EU geographical indication products and thematic lectures as supplementary activities.