BEIJING — A delegation from the European Parliament will begin a three-day visit to China starting tomorrow, marking the first official parliamentary delegation trip to the country in nearly eight years. The visit is expected to focus on key issues related to the digital economy, e-commerce regulation, consumer protection, and fair competition in global markets.
The nine-member delegation will be led by Anna Cavazzini, chair of the European Parliament’s Committee on the Internal Market and Consumer Protection. During the trip, lawmakers will travel to Beijing and Shanghai, where they are scheduled to meet with Chinese government officials, industry representatives, and major technology companies.
According to officials, the visit aims to strengthen dialogue between the European Union and China on digital trade governance and regulatory standards. Members of the delegation are expected to present the EU’s perspective on digital regulation, strategic autonomy in technology, and the need to maintain secure and transparent online markets.
One of the key topics of discussion will be the growing volume of online trade between China and Europe. European lawmakers have expressed concerns about the influx of small parcels from international e-commerce platforms that may not fully comply with European product safety regulations. The delegation intends to emphasize that all sellers operating within the EU market must follow the bloc’s strict standards on consumer protection and product safety.
During the visit, the parliamentary group will hold meetings with several Chinese government agencies, including the Legislative Affairs Commission of the National People’s Congress Standing Committee and the State Administration for Market Regulation. These discussions are expected to focus on regulatory cooperation, market access issues, and mechanisms to ensure fair competition in digital commerce.
The delegation will also meet representatives from major Chinese e-commerce platforms such as Alibaba, Shein, and Temu to discuss compliance with EU digital market rules and the responsibilities of global online retailers. These talks are aimed at improving transparency and ensuring that international digital businesses meet regulatory expectations when selling products in European markets.
In addition to meetings with corporate leaders, European lawmakers are scheduled to visit the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China to gather insights from European businesses operating in the Chinese market. Discussions will address challenges faced by foreign companies, including regulatory barriers, customs procedures, and cross-border trade requirements.
Another key stop during the trip will be Shanghai Pudong International Airport, where the delegation plans to meet customs officials and logistics companies to better understand how cross-border e-commerce shipments are processed. Officials say the visit will help European policymakers gain firsthand knowledge of the logistics systems that support international online trade.
Analysts say the visit reflects increasing efforts by the European Union to strengthen oversight of digital marketplaces and ensure fair competition in the rapidly expanding global e-commerce industry. As online trade continues to grow, governments around the world are facing pressure to update regulations to protect consumers while maintaining open and competitive digital markets.
The upcoming visit could also play a role in shaping future EU-China cooperation on digital policy and trade governance. Both sides are expected to exchange views on how to balance innovation, economic growth, and consumer protection in an increasingly digital global economy.
The discussions come at a time when international regulators are paying closer attention to cross-border e-commerce platforms and the impact of digital trade on global supply chains. Experts believe the outcome of the meetings could influence how international digital markets are regulated in the coming years.
