South China Morning PostChina premier Li Keqiang scrambles to shore up support for investment agreement with EUChinese Premier Li Keqiang has asked leaders of Spain and the Netherlands to back Beijing’s proposed investment deal with the European Union, after a high-level French official threatened to block it over forced-labour concerns.The intensive diplomatic manoeuvring on Wednesday marked Beijing’s drive to secure the deal before Joe Biden is sworn in as US president in four weeks and seeks to coordinate China policy with Europe. Concerns over forced labour remain stumbling block to EU-China deal“China is willing to work together with the EU to push for an early conclusion of the investment agreement,” Li said to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, according to Chinese state media Xinhua.Get the latest insights and analysis from our Global Impact newsletter on the big stories originating in China.In another call to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, Xinhua said, Li vowed to cooperate with the EU on the agreement, climate change and green development, adding: “China hopes that the EU will continue to provide a fair, open and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese companies.”Li made the calls hours after key French and Polish officials objected to the EU…
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