New five-year project to kick off

The good news is that a new five year trade project will be launched by the EU and China in 2010, to take over where the EUCTP left off.

"A new project will need to continue the work of EUCTP, for example in the areas of government procurement, competition and better regulatory policies. While much still needs to be done at the central level the new trade cooperation project will need to consider the priority of capacity building at the provincial level throughout China," said expert Li Zhongzhou, commenting that "many of China's second and third tier cities are developing and modernizing fast".

"In any new project the question of Europe learning from China would become increasingly relevant," said team leader Bartley.