China, EU initiate legal dialogue mechanism

BEIJING - China and the European Union (EU) have set up a dialogue mechanism concerning legal affairs, according to the Legislative Affairs Office of China's State Council.

The mechanism is a result of an agreement made during the 17th China-EU leaders' meeting in June last year, according to a statement issued by the office on June 21.

More than 60 officials and experts from both sides participated in the first round of dialogue, a one-and-a-half-day event which opened on Monday, to discuss e-commerce development and the legal framework for consumer protection.

The mechanism will help enhance understanding of legal systems, boost mutual trust and create a sound environment for friendly cooperation between the two sides, said Song Dahan, director of the Legislative Affairs Office, at the initiation ceremony.

European Commissioner for Justice, Consumers and Gender Equality Vera Jourova said the platform would lift China-EU legal cooperation to a brand-new level.

With improving cooperation, the mechanism should be seen as a starting point for the sharing of experiences concerning legal issues, and a good foundation for the development of China-EU relations, Jourova said.

China and the EU have developed more than 60 ministerial-level dialogue mechanisms on issues of common concern in recent years.

The second round of China-EU dialogue concerning legal affairs is scheduled to be held in Brussels in 2017, according to the Legislative Affairs Office.