(a) promotion of sustainable agriculture and organic farming through enhanced food safety and security, environment friendly production techniques and efficient management of natural resources which include use of renewable energy and water savings system to reduce production cost and increase resilience to climate change; and
(b) facilitating exchanges of skilled labour and experts in relevant fields of agriculture, food crop and livestock, including tea plant propagation and processing, mushroom cultivation and processing, enhanced use of organic fertilizers as well as, promotion of low cost sheltered farming system and treatment of pig waste.
Article 12.6. INNOVATION AND RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT (R & D)
1. The Parties acknowledge the driving force of innovation and R&D in promoting economic transformation, creating new engines of development and strengthening new dynamics for development.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate as follows:
(a) promoting public and private sector partnerships to support the development of innovative products and services;
(b) increasing competitiveness of the industry sector including SMEs by promoting the use of science, technology and innovation;
(c) promoting exchanges of specialists, researchers and professors with the aim of disseminating scientific know-how and providing support in the field of technology and innovation;
(d) cooperating on the modernisation of the transport system using technology that can better estimate bus arrival times, use of mobile apps, GPS technology, cashless transaction systems as well as developing appropriate road safety environments and facilities established to minimize accidents; and
(e) exploring the possibility to cooperate on the modernization of airport infrastructure.
Article 12.7. BUSINESS COOPERATION
1. Recognizing that there are vast opportunities for business on the African continent, the Parties agree to enhance collaboration in the following manner:
(a) encouraging Chinese and Mauritian enterprises to expand their business towards the market in Africa, while examining the possibility of exploiting the existing protocols and government to government agreements; and
(b) Encouraging entrepreneurship activities as an instrument to strengthen export capabilities and promote investment;
Article 12.8. FINANCIAL SERVICES
1. The Parties recognize the need to modernize and diversify the financial services industry in their respective economies.
2. The Parties agree to enhance collaboration in the following manner:
(a) sharing of expertise in Fintech to promote innovation in financial services;
(b) strengthening capacity building, including facilitating exchanges of professionals and experts;
(c) reinforcing regulatory cooperation with the signature of Memoranda of Understanding between the regulators of China and Mauritius;
(d) exploring further the possibility of cooperation in the implementation of best international standards in Anti-Money Laundering practices; and
(e) promoting the development of a Renminbi clearing and settlement facility in the territory of Mauritius.
Article 12.9. PHARMACEUTICALS, MEDICAL SERVICES AND COSMETICS
1. The Parties recognize the need to cooperate for mutual growth and development in the sector of pharmaceuticals, medical services and cosmetics and to promote Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and TCM-related industries.
2. The Parties agree to enhance collaboration in the following manner:
(a) encouraging cooperation between private sectors of the Parties by means of:
(i) exchange of researchers, students and those involved in relevant industries;
(ii) joint research programs and projects and their commercialization;
(iii) product quality upgrade, supply-chain networking and technology trade; and
(iv) promotion and facilitation of mutual investment opportunities;
(b) encouraging training and capacity building in areas such as manufacturing of pharmaceutical products, pharmaco-vigilance practices, and clinical pharmacy practices, and enhancing quality control systems and testing of pharmaceutical products;
(c) signing of a cooperative agreement between State Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine of P.R.C. and Ministry of Health of the Republic of Mauritius in TCM, aiming to promote communication and cooperation, including information and personnel exchanges, and building TCM centres in Mauritius to provide high-quality TCM service etc.;
(d) strengthening future exchanges and collaboration to facilitate trade in TCM in accordance with the domestic law of the Parties, including the gradual reduction in import barriers; and
(e) encouraging universities and research institutions to conduct joint research in the field of TCM.
Article 12.10. EDUCATION
1. The Parties acknowledge the potential for bilateral cooperation in education.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in the following areas:
(a) further promoting exchanges between and among their respective education related agencies, institutions, and organizations in tertiary education and technical education;
(b) exchange of information, teaching aids, and demonstration materials;
(c) exchange of teaching staff, administrators, researchers and students in relation to programs that will be of mutual benefit, such as ocean economy, bio-technology, disaster prevention and reduction and artificial intelligence; and
(d) development of innovative quality assurance resources to support learning and assessment, and the professional development of teachers and trainers.
Article 12.11. FILM
1. With a view to strengthening exchanges and cooperation in the area of film, the Parties agree to cooperate in the following areas:
(a) developing film co-production agreement between the Government of China and the Government of Mauritius;
(b) encouraging film production companies of the Parties to do the post-production work in each other's territory;
(c) encouraging films shooting in each other's territory
(d) encouraging the Parties to organize film festivals and screenings in each otherâs country, and encouraging films and filmmakers to participate in the festivals of each other's territory; and
(e) encouraging cinematographic exchanges between the film industries of the Parties through seminars, visits and forums.
Article 12.12. OCEAN ECONOMY
1. The Parties recognize that the Ocean Economy including the fisheries sector holds enormous potential for sustainable economic diversification, job creation, and wealth generation, and investment opportunities exist in various areas in the Ocean Economy Sector.
2. The Parties agree to enhance cooperation through:
(a) exploring to establish ocean economic demonstration zone and conducting research and cooperation on its planning with synergies in the field of ocean economy, including infrastructure, investment and financing, R&D, sea water desalination, ocean energy development, know-how and technology transfer;
(b) enhanced trade and investment in seafood industry, including aquaculture, warehousing, processing and value addition;
(c) capacity building for fisheries and aquaculture development, fish stock assessment, fisheries management, and policy planning; and
(d) facilitating conservation and sustainable management of marine living resources.
Article 12.13. TOURISM
1. The Parties recognize the importance of tourism and people-to-people flows to the development of their respective economies and the need to expand and deepen cooperation in tourism promotion and exchanges.
2. The Parties agree to cooperate in the following areas:
(a) exploring the possibility of undertaking joint research on tourism development and promotion to increase inbound visitors to each Party;
(b) cooperating in joint campaigns to promote tourism in the territories of the Parties;
(c) exchanging information on relevant statistics, promotional materials, and policies in tourism and related sectors;
(d) encouraging tourism and civil aviation authorities and agencies to improve the aviation connectivity between the Parties;
(e) developing infrastructure relevant to the tourism industry;
(f) promoting cruise tourism and stop overs in China and Mauritius;
(g) cooperating in the branding and image building, event creation and promotion, restoration of historical and cultural monuments, eco-tourism and nature conservation; and
(h) undertaking training and skills development programs.
Article 12.14. ARTS, CULTURE AND SPORTS
1. The Parties acknowledge the importance to promote cultural exchanges between China and Mauritius, considering that China and Mauritius share unique bonds based on their shared cultural heritage and traditions, as well as recognizing the significance of sports as a way of consolidating and promoting friendship and enhancing mutual understanding.
2. The Parties agree to:
(a) encourage exchanges of expertise and best practices regarding the protection of cultural heritage sites and historic monuments, including environmental surroundings and cultural landscapes;
(b) further promote cooperation in broadcasting and audio-video services sectors, for the purpose of deepening mutual understanding between the Parties;
(c) promote exchanges of artists in the restoration of documents in National Archives, National Library and restoration of paintings;
(d) collaborate in promoting Chinese culture in the context of organizing cultural events and presenting different forms of Chinese culture such as traditional operas, music, martial art, and cuisine.
(e) enhance the infrastructural and logistical development of the Multi-Sport Complex through sports equipment and facilities;
(f) maintain and continuously upgrade major sports infrastructure; and
(g) strengthen capacity and standards of local sports persons, especially those who will participate at regional and international levels.
Chapter 13. TRANSPARENCY
Article 13.1. PUBLICATION
1. Each Party shall ensure that its laws, regulations, procedures and administrative rulings of general application respecting any matter covered by this Agreement are promptly published, including on the internet where feasible, or otherwise made available in such a mamner as to enable interested persons and the other Party to become acquainted with them.
2. To the extent possible, each Party shall publish in advance and provide interested persons of the other Party and the other Party a reasonable opportunity to comment on any law, regulation, procedure and administrative ruling of general application referred to in paragraph 1 that it proposes to adopt.
Article 13.2. NOTIFICATION AND PROVISION OF INFORMATION
1. To the extent possible, each Party shall notify the other Party of any proposed or actual measure that the Party considers might materially affect the operation of this Agreement or otherwise substantially affect the other Partyâs legitimate interests under this Agreement.
2. At the request of the other Party, a Party shall promptly provide information and respond to questions pertaining to any actual or proposed measure that the other Party considers might materially affect the operation of this Agreement, whether or not the other Party has been previously notified of that measure.
3. The information referred to under this Article shall be considered to have been provided when it has been made available by appropriate notification to the WTO or when it has been made available on the official, public and fee-free accessible website of the Party concerned.
4. Any notification, request, or information under this Article shall be conveyed to the other Party through the Contact Points in Ariticle 14.4 (Overall Contact Points).
Article 13.3. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
1. Each Party shall ensure that all laws, regulations, procedures and administrative rulings of general application to which this Agreement applies are administered in a consistent, impartial, objective and reasonable manner.
2. With a view to administering in a consistent, impartial, objective and reasonable manner its laws, regulations, procedures and administrative rulings of general application with respect to any matter covered by this Agreement, each Party shall ensure, in its administrative proceedings applying these measures .to particular persons, goods or services of the other Party in specific cases that:
(a) wherever possible, persons of the other Party that are directly affected by a proceeding are provided with reasonable notice when a proceeding is initiated, including a description of the nature of the proceeding, a statement of the legal authority under which the proceeding is initiated, and a general description of any issue in controversy;
(b) such persons are afforded a reasonable opportunity to present facts and arguments in support of their positions prior to any final administrative action, when time, the nature of the proceeding and the public interest permit; and
(c) it follows its procedures in accordance with its law.
Article 13.4. REVIEW AND APPEAL
1, Each Party shall establish or maintain judicial, quasi-judicial, or administrative tribunals or procedures for the purposes of the prompt review and, where warranted, correction of final administrative actions regarding matters covered by this Agreement. Such tribunals shall be impartial and independent of the office or authority entrusted with administrative enforcement and shall not have any substantial interest in the outcome of the matter.
2. Each Party shall ensure that, in any such tribunals or procedures, the parties to the proceeding are provided with the right to:
(a) a reasonable opportunity to support or defend their respective positions; and
(b) a decision based on the evidence and submissions of record or, where required by the law of the Party, the record compiled by the administrative authority.
3. Each Party shall ensure, subject to appeal or further review as provided in its law, that such a decision shall be implemented by, and shall govern the practice of, the office or authority with respect to the administrative action at issue.
Chapter 14. ADMINISTRATIVE AND INSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS
Article 14.1. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE CHINA-MAURITIUS FREE TRADE AREa JOINT COMMISSION
1.The Parties hereby establish the FTA Joint Commission, composed of government representatives of each Party at the level of senior officials.
2. The FTA Joint Commission aims at ensuring the effective operation and implementation of this Agreement and any other agreement or legal instrument concluded or to be concluded under this Agreement.
Article 14.2. FUNCTIONS OF THE FTa JOINT COMMISSION
1. The FTA Joint Commission shall:
(a) consider any matter relating to the implementation or operation of this Agreement;
(b) consider any proposal to amend this Agreement;
(c) supervise the work of all committees and any other subsidiary body established under this Agreement;
(d) consider issues referred to it by either Party, or by the committees or any other subsidiary body established under this Agreement; and
(e) in accordance with the objectives of this Agreement, explore ways to further enhance trade and investment between the Parties.
2. The FTA Joint Commission may:
(a) establish any ad hoc or standing committee or other subsidiary body as necessary and refer matters to such a committee or such a subsidiary body for advice;
(b) seek to resolve differences or disputes that may arise regarding the interpretation or application of this Agreement;
(c) issue interpretations of the provisions of this Agreement;
(d) seek the advice of interested parties on any matter falling within the functions of the FTA Joint Commission; and
(e) take any other action as the Parties may agree.
Article 14.3. RULES OF PROCEDURE OF THE FTa JOINT COMMISSION
1. The FTA Joint Commission shall take decisions by consensus.
2. The FTA Joint Commission shall meet within one year of the date of entry into force of this Agreement and thereafter as the Parties may decide. Meetings of the FTA Joint Commission shall be chaired successively by each Party.
3. The Party chairing a session of the FTA Joint Commission shall provide any necessary administrative support for such a session, and shall record any decisions and discussions of the FTA Joint Commission, copies of which shall be provided to the other Party.
4. Each Party shall be responsible for the composition of its own delegation to the meeting of the FTA Joint Commission.
5. Each Party shall treat any confidential information exchanged in relation to meetings of the FTA Joint Commission, committees and other subsidiary bodies established under this Agreement on the same basis as the Party providing the information.
Article 14.4. OVERALL CONTACT POINTS
1. Each Party shall designate an overall contact point to facilitate communication between the Parties on any matter covered by this Chapter.
2. Upon request of the other Party, the overall contact point of a Party shall identify the office or official responsible for the matter and assist, as necessary, in facilitating communication with the requesting Party.
3. Each Party shall notify the other Party in writing of its designated overall contact point no later than 60 days after the date of entry into force of this Agreement.
4. A Party shall promptly notify the other Party of any change of its overall contact point.
Chapter 15. DISPUTE SETTLEMENT
Article 15.1. COOPERATION
The Parties shall at all times endeavour to agree on the interpretation and application of this Agreement, and shall make every attempt through cooperation and consultation to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any matter that might affect its operation when a dispute occurs.
Article 15.2. SCOPE OF APPLICATION
Unless otherwise provided in this Agreement, this Chapter shall apply with respect to the settlement of disputes between the Parties wherever a Party considers that a measure of the other Party is inconsistent with its obligations under this Agreement or that the other Party has otherwise failed to carry out its obligations under this Agreement.
Article 15.3. CHOICE OF FORUM
1. Where a dispute arises under this Agreement and under any other agreement to which both Parties are a party, including the WTO Agreement, the complaining Party may select the forum in which to settle the dispute.
2. The forum selected by the complaining Party in paragraph 1 shall be used to the exclusion of other fora.
Article 15.4. CONSULTATIONS
1. The Parties shall make every attempt to arrive at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any dispute through consultations under this Article or other consultative provisions of this Agreement.
2. A request for consultations shall be made in writing and the reasons for such a request shall be set out, including identification of the measure at issue and an indication of the legal basis for the complaint. The complaining Party shall deliver the request to the responding Party.
3. Ifa request for consultations is made, the responding Party shall reply to the request within 10 days after the date of its receipt and shall enter into consultations in good faith, with a view to reaching a mutually satisfactory resolution, within a period of no more than:
(a) 15 days after the date of receipt of the request for urgent matters concerning perishable goods; or
(b) 30 days after the date of receipt of the request for all other matters.
4. If the responding Party does not reply or enter into consultations within the timeframe specified in paragraph 3, the complaining Party may proceed directly to request the establishment of an arbitral tribunal.
5. The consultations shall be confidential and are without prejudice to the rights of either Party in any further proceedings.
Article 15.5. GOOD OFFICES, CONCILIATION AND MEDIATION
1. The Parties may at any time voluntarily agree to good offices, conciliation and mediation. These procedures may begin at any time and be terminated at any time.
2. Proceedings involving good offices, conciliation and mediation, and in particular positions taken by the Parties during those proceedings, shall be confidential and without prejudice to the rights of either Party in any further or other proceedings.
3. If the Parties agree, procedures for good offices, conciliation, or mediation may continue while the dispute proceeds for resolution before an arbitral tribunal established under Article 15.6 (Establishment of an Arbitral Tribunal).
Article 15.6. ESTABLISHMENT OF AN ARBITRAL TRIBUNAL
1. If a consultation referred to in the Article 15.4 (Consultations) fails to resolve a matter within 60 days or 30 days in relation to urgent matters concerning perishable goods, after receipt of the request for consultations, the complaining Party may request in writing the establishment of an arbitral tribunal to consider the matter.
2. The complaining Party shall:
(a) indicate in the request whether consultations were held;
(b) identify the specific measures at issue;