China will have talks on an investment pact with the European Union "at its own pace" the foreign ministry said on Friday, raising doubts about whether a deal can be sealed by year-end. Negotiations for the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment, which would grant European companies greater access to the Chinese market, have gone on for six years. But the latest comments by the Chinese government suggest otherwise. Wang's latest comments were also a walk-back from a day earlier. Another major sticking point is China's reluctance to ratify international laws related to labour and other aspects of sustainable development, the diplomat added.

Source: The Standard December 25, 2020 13:30 UTC