Joint Statement
Seventh meeting of the China-EU Round Table
(Chongqing, 19-20 July 2010)
1.
The China-EU Round Table held its seventh meeting in Chongqing, China on 19 and 20 July
2010.
2.
The Round Table was jointly established by the China Economic and Social Council (CESC)
and the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in accordance with the Joint
Statement of the 9th China-EU Summit released in Helsinki on 9 September 2006.
3.
The organised civil society dialogue which takes place at the EU-China Round Table forms
part of the EU-China strategic partnership and contributes to people-to-people friendship and
mutual understanding.
4.
At the meeting delegates from both sides held extensive discussions on the themes
"Sustainable Development and Water " and "The rights of the Child".
5.
A tripartite workshop on employment and migration was also held in Chongqing, which saw
the involvement of the Chongqing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political
Consultative Conference. The workshop clearly illustrates that employment and job creation
are major challenges for both China and the EU. Measures should be taken to reduce
unemployment and improved social security systems. Special attention and effective policy
assistance should also be given to the issue of migrant workers.
Sustainable Development and Water
6.
The Round Table notes that water is a fundamental and strategic natural resource, which is
becoming a global issue and plays a crucial role in sustainable development.
7.
The Round Table recognises that sustainable and integrated water resources management
should bring a significant contribution to the socio-economic development and well-being of
the population.
8.
Providing sufficient water, especially drinking water, to the public should be the top priority,
especially in the period of drought. Other priority water uses must take into consideration the
availability of water resources.
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9.
Excessive water abstraction will result in diminishing water resources and significantly
reduced water levels and lead to the reduction of wetlands, which would have an adverse
impact on water ecosystems overall.
10.
The degradation of our ecosystem not only reduces the quality of life for the present and
future generations, but also hampers our progress towards sustainable development in the
longer term.
11.
There is a real threat of water related problems and extreme weather phenomena (drought,
flooding etc) as a consequence of climate change. The EU and China should address this issue
at the bilateral and multilateral level. The members of the Round Table urge their authorities
to implement prevention policies associating civil society and to support the regions and
people who have been victims of environmental disasters.
12.
The Round Table notes that water is essential to national food security. Agriculture, as a
productive sector, suffers acutely from the effects of water scarcity and drought, and at the
same time plays an important role in the sustainable management of available water
resources.
13.
A number of measures are available to reduce the public daily consumption of water and
promote its sustainable use. These include raising consumer awareness, using water-saving
devices, reducing leakages in distribution networks, adopting a motivating water pricing
policy, using water more efficiently, including reclaimed waste water, and harvesting
rainwater.
14.
It is possible to reduce water use in the industrial sector by recycling and reusing water,
changing production processes and using more efficient technology, such as the one to reduce
water leakage.
15.
The introduction of a rational water pricing policy regarding the water cost and investment is
needed as an important mechanism for achieving sustainable water use across all sectors.
16.
Educating consumers and raising their awareness about water management and water-saving
helps to preserve the quality and quantity of water resources, and civil society has a vital role
to play in this area. New production and consumption patterns that encourage sustainable
water use should be promoted.
17.
The Round Table encourages increasing cooperation between the EU and China in areas such
as improvement of efficiency of water use, waste water discharge and purification, river basin
management and irrigation technology. In particular, the Round Table calls for more
cooperation projects and investments in new technologies in using and saving water
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resources. The Round Table also encourages and supports comparative studies on
urbanisation and urban development between China and the EU to be undertaken.
The rights of the Child
18.
The Round Table acknowledges the need to protect the rights of the child which are of great
concern to all countries and the society as a whole. Children should be valued not only as
future adults and workers but also as holders of rights, and childhood should be recognised as
an important and valuable part of life in its own right.
19.
The Round Table welcomes the fact that both China and the EU have adopted numerous laws,
policies, and plans to protect and strengthen the rights of the child. The members of the
Round Table urge their governments to take effective measures to ensure that these laws and
policies are fully enforced and implemented and that the best interests of children be upheld.
20.
The Round Table acknowledges the important role of the family, and especially of parents, in
protecting the rights of their children. Governments are responsible for ensuring that all
children enjoy the same rights and protection, and for assisting families in child-caring
responsibilities. The local communities and the living environment also play an important role
in ensuring that children have a childhood in accordance with the principles mentioned in the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
21.
The Round Table stresses that it is important to maintain and mainstream the principles of the
UN Convention on the Rights of the Child by enshrining them in law, integrating them into
policies, promoting them through awareness raising and education, and ensuring that they are
adhered to in practice.
22.
The Round Table highlights the potential role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in
upholding the rights of the child and eliminating the worst forms of child labour. The Round
Table urges governments, acting in cooperation with other stakeholders, to combat child
discrimination based on gender, race or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age,
geographical location, social status or family structure.
23.
The Round Table urges China and the EU to reinforce their cooperation in combating the
trafficking of women and children.
24.
The Round Table underlines that special attention needs to be paid to the impact of poverty,
social exclusion, disability, discrimination and racism, as well as to the status of ethnic
minority and refugee children. Those migrant workers’ children, who have either been left
behind in their countryside or have settled in cities with their parents also need special
attention.
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25.
In order to protect children from all forms of harm, abuse and neglect, the creation of a safe
environment for children and respect for the voice of children is necessary. In China there is
also a clear need to devote increased resources to children’s education, health and the
development of professional services to support children and their families.
26.
The two sides agree to hold the eighth meeting of the China-EU Round Table in Brussels,
Belgium in December 2010. The Round Table will look more deeply at the issue of the rights
of the child and draw up a mid-term review of the Round Table's work and the action plans
for the coming two years.
27.
This Joint Statement will be submitted to the upcoming China-EU Summit.
Chongqing, 20 July 2010
Mario Sepi
Yang Chonghui
President
Vice Chairman
European Economic and Social Committee
China Economic and Social Council