The CCCEU and Peking University jointly held a seminar titled "Navigating the New Era: The Evolving Landscape of China-EU Economic and Trade Relations" on May 9th in Brussels, Belgium.

Ambassador Fu Cong, Head of the Mission of China to the EU, Maria Joao Rodrigues, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies, and Dong Zhiyong, Vice President of Peking University and Dean of the School of Economics, delivered keynote speeches at the seminar.

Ambassador Fu Cong extends warm greetings to Vice President Dong Zhiyong and the delegation from Peking University, and congratulates on the successful convening of the seminar.

Ambassador Fu emphasizes that the China-EU relationship is crucial for global stability and the prosperity of the Eurasian continent, and it deserves the concerted efforts of both sides to uphold and further develop. China consistently views the China-EU relationship from a strategic and long-term perspective, and hopes that the European side can form a more independent and objective understanding of China, and pursue a pragmatic and proactive policy towards China. The Ambassador expresses the hope that the participating experts, scholars, and entrepreneurs will continue to strengthen cooperation, jointly study and provide valuable suggestions, and explore the potential for cooperation in various fields between China and the EU. This will further promote pragmatic cooperation between the two sides, bringing greater benefits to the people of both China and the EU.

President Rodrigues emphasized that the China-EU relationship is strategic, and that China and Europe are partners who should enhance communication. Rather than viewing China as a "systemic rival," Europe and China should be collaborators to work together in shaping global rules, particularly in addressing climate change, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and other areas.

Dong Zhiyong, expressed that in recent years, the compounded impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical conflicts has posed significant risks and challenges to the global economy, including inflation, energy shortages, and the global supply chain crisis. However, amidst these challenges, a strong, stable, and healthy China-EU economic and trade relationship holds great significance for the recovery and development of the world economy.

The session on "EU-China Economic and Trade Relations in the New Context" was chaired by Qin Xuezheng, Vice Dean of the School of Economics at Peking University. Shozo Maeda, Secretary-General of the Japan Business Council in Europe, Wang Yuesheng, Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center, Wu Qiaoling, Deputy Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center, Chen Yi, Deputy Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center, as well as Pascal Lamy's personal assistant, Sasha COURTIAL, delivered speeches consecutively.

Qin Xuezheng, Vice Dean of the School of Economics at Peking University

Shozo Maeda, Secretary-General of the Japan Business Council in Europe

Wang Yuesheng, Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center

Wu Qiaoling, Deputy Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center

Chen Yi, Deputy Director of the Peking University-Bank of China EU Economy and Strategy Research Center

Pascal Lamy's personal assistant, Sasha COURTIAL

The session on "China's Economic Development in the Post-Pandemic Era and Its Significance for the Global Economy" was chaired by Wu Zenan, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics at Peking University. Jia Ruo, Associate Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University, Wang Xi, Assistant Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University, Wang Yaojing, Assistant Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University, and Lin Goethals, Director of the European Institute for Asian Studies, delivered speeches successively.

Wu Zenan, Assistant to the Dean of the School of Economics at Peking University

Jia Ruo, Associate Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University

Wang Xi, Assistant Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University

Wang Yaojing, Assistant Professor at the School of Economics, Peking University

Lin Goethals, Director of the European Institute for Asian Studies

Peng Gang, minister of the Chinese Mission to the EU delivered the closing remarks at the seminar. The seminar was chaired by Fang Dongkui, Secretary-General of the EU-China Chamber of Commerce.

Peng Gang, minister of the Chinese Mission

Fang Dongkui, Secretary-General of the EU-China Chamber of Commerce