GCI Conference: China-Europe Relations

Published on 01.11.2017

On October 2, the China-Europe Relations Conference, jointly organized by Groningen Confucius Institute and the Center for East Asian Studies Groningen brought a series of presentations and panel discussions in the Old Courtroom, with the participation of more than 30 attendees.
Dr. Liu Jingyi, Chinese Director of Groningen Confucius Institute, made the opening speech and presided over the morning session. 4 speakers presented the problems and potential for the further cooperation of China and Europe respectively on macro and micro level.

Dr. Liu Jingyi, Chinese Director of Groningen Confucius Institute was giving the opening speech

Prof. Dr. Xin Hua, Deputy Director of Center for EU Studies at Shanghai International Studies University(SISU), first kicked off his keynote speech on The China-EU Trade and Investment Relations against the Background of OBOR. Through the economic charts he depicted the challenges and prospects for further cooperation between the two major world economies based on their willingness, the complementarity of industrial structure and technology, and the symbiosis of development strategy.

Prof. Dr. Xin Hua, Deputy Director of Center for EU Studies at SISU was giving a keynote speech

Liu Hongsong, Deputy Dean of International Relations and Public Affairs School at SISU, looked forward to the deepening win-win China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership to play a greater initiative in global governance.

Prof. Dr. LIU Hongsong, Deputy Dean of International Relations and Public Affairs School at SISU was giving a keynote speech

Dr. Mohammadbagher Forough from Department of International Relations at Leiden University, enumerated China's active participation in recent years, especially in the infrastructure construction of the China-Pakistan Railway and the Kraka Canal; and pointed out that how to balance the principle of non-interference and the increasing number of external interventions has became a major problem to the Chinese government.

Dr. Mohammadbagher Forough from Department of International Relations at Leiden University was giving a speech

Dr. Sanne Kamerling, from Department of International Relations
and International Organization(IRIO) at University of Groningen, acknowledged China’s positive image of a responsible stakeholder in the international society but also figured out the lack of broad recognition within the definition of such a national identity.

Dr. Sanne Kamerling from Department of IRIO at University of Groningen was giving a speech

The afternoon session chaired by Professor Jan van der Harst from Department of IRIO at the University of Groningen brought a speech and two panel discussions.
Dr. Frank Gaenssmantel from Department of IRIO at the University of Groningen shared the latest achievements of the Sino-European relations research project between the University of Groningen and Tsinghua University and Fudan University , and pointed out the economic and trade disputes between China and Europe.

Dr. Frank Gaenssmantel was giving a speech

Panelists from ICBC Amsterdam, Amsterdam University Press, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Guangdong, Shanghai International Studies University etc. shared their insights respectively in the field of politics, economics, legal issue as well as education and culture regarding China and Europe relations. Attendees from various backgrounds joined the conference and exchanged their interest and questions during the panel discussions.

Panelist Mr. Jin Weihuang, Deputy General Manager ICBC Amsterdam was sharing his observation in China-Netherlands trade and investment relations

Panelists Cao Xuefei (left), Director of Groningen Confucius Institute and Cao Deming(right), former president of SISU were sharing their own experience in China-Europe educational and cultural exchanges

The conference came to an end in a concluding statement by Professor Jan van der Harst.