CHINA-OBOR: EU DECLINES TO BACK OBORĀ 

The Guardian on May 15, 2017, reported that the EU has refused to endorse the multibillion-dollar OBOR project plan because it did not include commitments to social and environmental sustainability and transparency anfd the EU’s 28 member states decided not to support a statement about trade prepared by Beijing to mark the end of the summit.  A high-level EU diplomat, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said “We made clear that, for Europe, the Belt and Road initiative can only be a success if it’s based on transparency and co-ownership. Apparently to Chinese surprise, the EU was united on this.” The Guardian said that EU members decided not to support China’s trade statement because a series of concerns they had raised with the Chinese government were not incorporated into the draft text. A public summary of the EU’s position on the Belt and Road initiative, published in the run-up to the forum, suggested members wanted guarantees that projects would be economically and environmentally sustainable and subject to fair tendering processes.







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