Support for the EU¿s Wildlife Protection, Environmental and International Development Policies in China This Annual Action Plan (AAP) is aligned with the priorities identified in the China section of the Regional Multi-Annual Indicative Programming (RMIP) Asia and the Pacific 2021-2027, namely:·Promote European values and interests in the bilateral relations with China, in line with the multi-faceted approach outlined in the `Strategic Outlook¿ Joint Communication (March 2019);·Engage China to tackle global challenges, to deliver on international commitments such as the Agenda 2030 and, Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and to address its role as global actor and donor by promoting international norms and standards and countering negative impact where necessary.This AAP focuses on EU policy priorities and strategic interests in our bilateral agenda with China, notably on environmental and circular economy issues, wildlife protection, as well as global development challenges. The Team Europe approach will be leveraged throughout the three components of the AAP.Component 1 will aim to improve the level playing field between the EU and China on environmental requirements for circular economy, plastics, chemicals, deforestation, biodiversity, pollution, water management through reinforced EU-China policy dialogues and cooperation in environment and green/circular economy to align China¿s environmental legislation framework with that of the EU. Component 2 will seek to enhance EU-China policy dialogue and cooperation in tackling illegal wildlife trade to advance objectives set out in the EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking.Component 3 will generate evidence-based analysis on China¿s evolving and expanding role in international development; support the development of a cohort of European researchers with expertise on this subject; facilitate technical exchanges between the EU and Chinese counterparts; and promote the EU in China as the leading global development actor.