EU-China Forum : Rivals or strategic partners?

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EU-China Forum : Rivals or strategic partners?

About

China and the European Union matter more and more to each other. EU-China trade, economic and business relations are booming. Cooperation between Europe and China is crucial in dealing with global challenges like climate change, food and energy security, nuclear proliferation and regional hotspots. Meanwhile, China’s moves to buy Eurozone debt and statements of confidence in the European single currency are a boon to the embattled leaders of the Eurozone. These and other links that bind, however, are often obscured by discord and disagreement on questions like human rights, market access and China’s investment and intellectual property regimes.

Schedule

Schedule

Welcome and registration
Session I - Europe and China: Cooperation or competition
Expand Session I - Europe and China: Cooperation or competition

China and the European Union matter more and more to each other. EU-China trade, economic and business relations are booming. Cooperation between Europe and China is crucial in dealing with global challenges like climate change, food and energy security, nuclear proliferation and regional hotspots. Meanwhile, China’s moves to buy Eurozone debt and statements of confidence in the European single currency are a boon to the embattled leaders of the Eurozone. These and other links that bind, however, are often obscured by discord and disagreement on questions like human rights, market access and China’s investment and intellectual property regimes. Both the EU and China say they are strategic partners but often their relations are marked by rivalry and competition, especially for rare resources. China is also building up a strong global footprint and is a leading member of the G20. What is China’s contribution to global growth strategies? How useful are regular high-level economic discussions in resolving the many irritants that continue to bedevil EU-China ties? Which are the areas where Europe and China can work together to build stronger relations in the political and economic sectors? Will China’s new leaders, appointed in 2012, have a changed attitude towards Europe?

Speakers

Viorel Isticioaia Budura

Managing Director for Asia at the European External Action Service (EEAS)

Hua Chunying

Counsellor at the European Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China

Pang Zhongying

Director of Global Governance Research Centre at the Renmin Universtiy

Philippe Le Corre

Vice President of Huawei Technologies, France

Meng Xiangqing

Deputy Director of the Strategic Research Institute of the National Defence University of the People’s Liberation Army, China

Moderators

Shada Islam

Managing Director at New Horizons Project

Giles Merritt

Founder of Friends of Europe

Tea break
Session II - Opportunities for economic cooperation
Expand Session II - Opportunities for economic cooperation

Europe’s 2020 growth agenda and China’s 12th Five Year Plan open up fresh opportunities for China-Europe cooperation in areas such as the green economy, urbanisation, environmental protection, scientific innovation and technology-intensive industries. Both China and Europe also have to tackle the challenge of dealing with ageing populations, the growth of mega-cities and building an inclusive society. European and Chinese companies are still not working together as actively as they could to tackle these and other challenges. As China now shifts the focus from exports to domestic-demand- led growth, European firms are anxious to gain better market access while European banks and insurance companies are keen to extend their market share as China switches emphasis from manufacturing to the services sector. What are the main market access difficulties facing European companies in China and what is the welcome that Europe extends to Chinese firms? Are China’s “indigenous innovation” initiatives a brake on the transfer of European technology to China? Is China relaxing its government procurement rules? Can Europe provide its experience and expertise as China seeks to develop its anti-monopoly law?

Speakers

Joaquín Almunia

Visiting Professor at the London School of Economics and PSIA-Sciences Po Paris, former vice-president of the European Commission and Trustee of Friends of Europe

Lord Leon Brittan

Vice Chairman of UBS

Wang Yiming

Vice President of the Academy of Macroeconomic Research at the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), China

Changhua Wu

Director for China and Asia at the Office of Jeremy Rifkin; and Chair of the China Redesign Hub

Friedolin Strack

Managing Director of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA) and Director of the Department for Asia, Africa and Foreign Trade Promotion at the Federation of German Industries (BDI)

Xia Youfu

Executive Director of the Strategy Center for China's Open Economy and International Technology

Moderators

Shada Islam

Managing Director at New Horizons Project

Arnaldo Abruzzini

CEO of the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES)

Networking lunch
Perceptions and misperceptions: How Europe and China view eachother?
Expand Perceptions and misperceptions: How Europe and China view eachother?

Relations between policymakers and officials are important in determining the style and substance of Europe-China relations but 21st Century foreign policy is increasingly influenced by public opinion. In Europe, as illustrated by recent polls conducted by the Pew Research Center, the BBC and the German Marshall Fund, public perceptions of China have been declining over the past five years. China’s recent crackdown on dissidents has worsened European views on human rights, democracy and the rule of law in China. The wider Chinese public, meanwhile, is increasingly irritated by European public statements and demands on human rights. Can the recent EU-China focus on people-to-people exchanges, especially among young people, help to forge better understanding between the two sides? What can be done to improve communication between civil society representatives in China and Europe?

Speakers

Martin Jacques

Author of the book ‘When China Rules the World: the Rise of the Middle Kingdom and the End of the Western World’

Reinhard Bütikofer

Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur on EU-ASEAN relations

Chen Shiqiu

Vice Chairman of the China Society for Human Rights Studies and Expert of the United Nations Human Rights Council Advisory Committee

Hao Shiyuan

Vice Secretary General of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS)

Kerry Brown

Head of the Asia Programme at Chatham House

Chen Yan

Co-founder and Executive President of the China-Europa Forum, France

Moderators

Shada Islam

Managing Director at New Horizons Project

Giles Merritt

Founder of Friends of Europe

Closing reception
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