The China-EU Geographical Indications Agreement, the first of its kind, was signed recently as a commitment to the protection of 100 EU and 100 Chinese products which will be protected under the GI (Geographical Indication) system.

The full list of GI-protected products will cover mainly alcoholic products from the EU and teas from China. For example, there are 72 of the EU products are alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine or spirits whereas 28 out of the 100 Chinese products are teas, such as Pu’er tea, Anji White Tea and Anxi Tieguanyin.

According to a statement, China became the third-largest exporter of agri-food products into the EU and the second-largest importer of such products from the EU last year. The high growth of the Chinese market shows its potential for EU food and beverages, as a growing group of middle class consumers prefers a taste of high-quality and genuine products from Europe.

In addition, it is believed that the agreement will expand, four years after it is in effect, which will include 175 GI names from both the EU and China in extra.