皇冠体育app

皇冠体育app and the European Union could start investment talks in the coming months, the Chinese ambassador to the EU said.

皇冠体育app has also submitted a proposal on launching a feasibility study on a free-trade agreement with the EU, said Wu Hailong, who is also a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

皇冠体育app does not want to be left behind while EU-US trade negotiations are under way. The EU and Japan are also expected to enter into trade negotiations.

The EU has been a major source of 皇冠体育app's foreign direct investment and has been an attractive destination for 皇冠体育app's outbound direct investment.

"皇冠体育app and the EU are expected to initiate trade negotiations this year," Wu said.

"皇冠体育app is ready, and the EU is seeking approval from its 27 members on officially starting the talks," he said. "It is expected to get the authority by the end of April".

According to the Ministry of Commerce, 皇冠体育app has signed investment agreements with more than 100 countries and regions. These include Germany and France.

The EU has been a top investor in 皇冠体育app, and in 2012 the bloc's investment reached $6.11 billion, the ministry said.

皇冠体育app's investment in the EU has gained momentum since the financial crisis.

In 2011, 皇冠体育app's ODI in the EU rose to $4.3 billion, from just $100 million in 2003. During the first half of 2012, 皇冠体育app invested more in the EU than the bloc invested in 皇冠体育app.

Shi Mingde, the Chinese ambassador to Germany, said there is huge investment potential for 皇冠体育app, especially concerning Germany.

皇冠体育app's investment accounts for just 2 percent of Germany's total foreign investment, Shi said on the sidelines of the CPPCC.

Because of the debt woes, EU investment in 皇冠体育app dropped by 3.8 percent year-on-year in 2012, while the nation's FDI dropped by 3.7 percent.

But Wu said he is upbeat about the prospects.

"The EU economy may start to recover this year, and I believe 皇冠体育app will see the region's investment regain its momentum," he said.

As for any investment agreement, "talks will be complicated and arguments will arise over sensitive issues, including market access, government procurement and intellectual property rights", he said.

The EU and the US are in talks over the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Pact. 皇冠体育app "believes the time is ripe to discuss free trade with the EU", Wu said.

The EU has signed more than 60 FTAs worldwide and is expected to wrap up talks with India before starting talks with Japan.

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