China's accession to the WTO on December 11, 2001 was a milestone in the country's transition from a centrally planned to a socialist market economy. As part of its WTO accession commitments, China agreed to implement a series of reforms in almost all sectors of its economy. Against this background the European Union and the Chinese government jointly committed 20.6 million euros to the EU-China Trade Project (EUCTP).

In operation since 2004, the EUCTP, recognized as one of the EU's most important trade-related technical assistance projects world-wide, has supported China's continued integration into the world trading system. The EUCTP has provided technical expertise in support of China's policy, legislative and regulatory reform process as required by China's WTO membership commitments.

At the bilateral level the EUCTP has also delivered technical support under EU-China cooperation agreements, and the many trade dialogues and working groups which exist between the EU and the Chinese government.