Sino-European pact is sealed

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The first Sino-European co-operation agreement on CSR has been signed to strengthen strategic ties between Chinese textile suppliers and European retailers.

The pact, between the China National Textile and Apparel Council and the Foreign Trade Association of Europe, commits the two organizations to fostering co-operation on information-sharing, evaluating suppliers and retailers, and preparing training material to improve the conduct of companies in supply chains.

Chen Shuijin, the council’s vice-president, said: ‘Chinese enterprises have increased awareness about corporate responsibility in recent years, thanks to economic globalization and the government’s call for a more harmonious society.’

The council has established a CSR promotion office, drawn up a CSR industrial code for China’s textile and apparel businesses, and produced annual corporate responsibility reports since 2005.

Insiders believe that collaborating with mature markets could speed up improvements in Chinese companies' corporate responsibility practices.