China, EU Hold Talks On AI And Cross Data Flow

China's Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing and the European Commission Vice President Vera Jourova held in-depth talks on Monday on topics including artificial intelligence and cross-border data flow in Beijing, Chinese state media reported.

The meeting happened even as tensions between China and the EU are at heightened level after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced an investigation into whether to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese EVs to protect EU producers.

European Commission in press release stated that the Commission held its second High-level Digital dialogue focused on various key digital policy issues, including platform and data regulation, artificial intelligence, research and innovation, cross-border data flows, and product safety online.

During the dialogue, the Commission provided updates on EU regulatory developments, such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act. 

Both parties discussed artificial intelligence, with the Commission emphasising the importance of ethical use of AI, consistent with universal human rights.

The Commission said, it also highlighted the significance of global and interoperable ICT standards and encouraged China to establish a fair and reciprocal business environment for digital technologies.

China shared updates on its digital policies and practices, and both parties agreed to pursue technical-level talks through the resumption of the China-EU ICT Dialogue. 

Earlier, EU-China High-level Digital Dialogue took place in September 2020, and both had not met again since. The resumption of this Dialogue was announced by President Ursula von der Leyen during her visit to Beijing on 6 April 2023.