– has long sought to get barriers dropped for its investors in China in key areas such as emerging digital technologies.
As part of the accord, the EU has also been pushing Beijing to reinforce respect for intellectual property, end obligations to transfer technology, reduce subsidies for public enterprises, and improve on climate commitments.In the latest salvo, Washington on Friday announced it had imposed export controls on China's biggest chipmaker, SMIC.
Talks on the investment pact have advanced despite major concerns in Europe over China's human rights record, especially its clampdown in Hong Kong and treatment of the Uighurs. The EU has struggled for unity in the face of China's increasing global assertiveness under President Xi Jinping, with some member states urging a tougher stance on rights and the environment, and others preferring to boost trade.