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103 CHAPTER 4 EU-China Trade and the Future PCA Intellectual Property Rights and Investments Antoine SAUTENET This paper aims to evaluate the content and implementation of the future PCA for EU-China trade. In the absence of a category of “emerging countries” in international economic law, the EU must adapt its foreign policy with regard to this major economic and commercial power. A new dynamic has been set in motion since 2003, with the drawing-up of preparatory documents by both parties and joint declara- tions at annual summits bearing on the “strategic partnership.” The frequent development of bilateral relations has allowed the EU and China to envisage the conclusion of a new framework agreement: this is the origin of the mandate given to the Commission in December 2005 to conclude a partnership and cooperation agreement. With regard to the PCA negotiations, the EU must integrate elements of added-value into the next agreement with China, in order to prevent commercial tensions arising from the WTO and to guarantee Community operators a better presence on the Chinese market. In regards to China’s legal environment, Investments and Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs) should be known as the “WTO plus” fields, and inserted into the future agreement, which would then involve a mixed agreement. Given the EU’s ambitions, the negotiations run the risk of being fragile at the commercial level. EU-China Relations in the Context of China’s “Re-emergence” The “EU-China global partnership”1 was set up during the 10th sum- mit (2007). But the negotiations between...