In the China-Germany-EU leaders' meeting on Monday, the European Commission announced that the European Union (EU) and China have signed a bilateral agreement on Geographical Indications (GIs), aiming to protect 100 European GIs in China and as many Chinese GIs in the EU from usurpation and imitation. With this agreement, people in China could enjoy the iconic European specialties and vice versa.

A stall sells Tulufan Pu Tao Gan (Turpan raisin) in Putaogou, Turpan, Xinjiang Autonomous Region. (File photo: CFP)

The Chinese list of GIs to be protected in the EU includes indigenous products such as Anji Bai Cha (Anji White Tea), Panjin Da Mi (Panjin rice), Pixian Dou Ban (Pixian Bean Paste), Shanxi Lao Chen Cu (Shanxi malt vinegar) and Tulufan Pu Tao Gan (Turpan raisin). Among the EU GIs products, the list includes French Champagne, Irish whiskey, Bavarian beer, Feta cheese, Prosciutto di Parma and Vinho Verde.

The total export value of EU agricultural trade with China in 2019 was 149 billion euros ($176.8 billion), according to Reuters. At present, China is the EU’s third-largest export destination for agricultural products. With the agreement signed, the aforementioned products will be labeled with special trademarks meaning that they are under the protection of GIs and cannot be used in other countries and regions, including the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

The China-Germany-EU leaders’ meeting was initially planned to be held in Leipzig, Germany, but was changed to be online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of this year, China, Germany and the EU intend to have more in-depth negotiations on major issues like climate change and investment cooperation and are looking forward to reaching a new agreement on expanding bilateral investment.

(Compiled by Yue Siqi)