For both the EU and China, the fields of digital economy and society are strategic priorities. On the EU side, in particular, the Digital Compass communication, published by the European Commission in 2021, translates the EU’s digital ambitions for the next decade into clear, concrete targets. This document sets out a European way for the digital decade. Because digital transformation poses global challenges, the EU works at the same time to promote its positive and human-centred digital agenda internationally.

China is a key interlocutor in this field and the digital economy’s increasing importance is reflected in the wider bilateral relations. The EU and China have addressed this topic regularly at the EU-China Summit, as well as in the High-level Digital Dialogue.

The European Commission's Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content & Technology (DG CONNECT) has also maintained an annual dialogue on ICT policy with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) since 2009 and has co-chaired the EU-China Cyber Taskforce since its creation in 2012.

DG CONNECT also contributed to trade and research-related dialogues and other cooperation mechanisms.

The EU Delegation to China takes a holistic view regarding the sector's value chain and addresses questions concerning digital policies, innovation and standardisation. It also closely cooperates with EU tech companies active in China.