EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson and delegation meet with professors at the North China Electric Power University in Beijing on October 11, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of NCEPU

The EU's energy chief expressed the bloc's interest in the renewable energy developments in China and called for cooperation during her visit to China on Wednesday.

"We are interested in the developments in China, especially the large volumes of renewable energy that can be connected to the grid. I would appreciate learning more about the developments here," EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson said when delivering a speech at the North China Electric Power University in Beijing.

Simson and some of the EU energy cabinet members are on a three-day visit to China from Wednesday to Friday. Their visit comes as the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell is also visiting China from Thursday to Saturday to attend the 12th round of the China-EU High-Level Strategic Dialogue. 

Simson highlighted the significance of energy cooperation in her speech. "We are partners, major energy importers, and significant producers of clean energy technologies. The global collaboration between China and the EU in establishing a global energy system holds great significance which lies at the heart of the China-EU relationship concerning energy and climate."

EU Commissioner for Energy Kadri Simson speaks at North China Electric Power University, Beijing on October 11, 2023. Photo: Courtesy of NCEPU

Simson said that the EU sees opportunities for bilateral cooperation in the energy sector going forward and believes that the energy system of the future will continue to rely on stronger trade and clean technology products. She emphasized that China is going to remain an "open contest" in Europe, while the competition in free market has to be "fair." 

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership. Energy has been one of the earliest and most important areas of cooperation between China and the EU. The two sides share broad common interests in ensuring energy security, promoting energy transition and addressing climate change. The China-EU energy dialogue, established in 1994, was further strengthened by the 2019 joint statement on the implementation of China-EU cooperation.

Despite clear objections from the Chinese side, the EU announced the start of an anti-subsidy investigation into the imports of electric vehicles (BEV) from China on October 4. In response, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Commerce said that the investigation aims to protect its own industry in the name of fair competition. It is blatant protectionism that will disrupt and distort auto supply chains and industrial chains across the world, including in the EU. It will also have a negative impact on the trade and economic relations between China and the EU, said the spokesperson.

The author is a reporter with the Global Times. maruiqian@globaltimes.com.cn