On 13 July 2023 Germany released its first-ever China Strategy, of which its inception has been driven by the new geopolitical equilibrium between Berlin and Beijing. China, Germany’s largest trading partner, has become a more assertive actor at the global stage and “as a result of this, we need to change our approach” Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock declared at the presentation of the long-awaited paper.
The looming climate crisis has generated a pressing need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Engaging China in the fight against climate change will be a crucial element in attaining this objective. China’s commitment in climate action has also grown considerably, as global climate governance has even become one of the country’s prototypical discursive frames in constructing its new international identity.
On the 9th of May 2023, the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU and Peking University organised a Seminar in Brussels on “Navigating the New Era: The Evolving Landscape of China-EU Economic and Trade Relations” at the Fondation Universitaire in Brussels.
On 6 April 2023, the European Institute for Asian Studies (EIAS) hosted a briefing seminar discussing prevailing questions on the Korean peninsula.
On the 24th March 2023 the Cyber Security Association of China and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China co-hosted a hybrid event titled the “China-Europe Track II Digital Dialogue Plan” in which experts and representatives from Chinese and European universities, think tanks, research institutions, hospitals and associations took part in a series of panel discussions designed to identify best practice and ways forward in digital cooperation between the EU and China.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) held its 22nd annual summit on 15-16 September 2022 in Uzbekistan’s historical city of Samarkand. The summit gathered its member’s leaders in person for the first time since 2019. In light of the current global political and economic uncertainties, the gathering attracted worldwide attention while hitting the international headlines.
On 26-27 September 2022 the ESSCA School of Management EU*Asia Institute organised a Workshop “Business as Unusual: New Approaches to EU-China Relations” at the ESSCA Campus in Angers and online. A variety of experts on EU-China from both Europe and China participated in the workshop. EIAS Director Lin Goethals gave a presentation on “A post-pandemic re-assessment of EU-China Relations”.
The exclusive network environment, the distinct social media ecosystem and differences in culture and values pose a challenge for EU digital public diplomacy in China. Facing such challenges, how can the EUDC represent the EU more effectively on Chinese social media platforms, and apply the right communication channels?
Whereas EU countries have adjusted to living with COVID-19 and lifted restrictions on masking and social distancing, China’s strict “Zero-COVID” policy has considerably affected European business operations. This has been pushing European companies to re-evaluate their China strategy and reconsider operational alternatives in the medium or long term. In what follows we will assess the latest developments for EU businesses and investment in China, zooming in on a number of specific sectors, forecasting future EU-China trade and investment opportunities and challenges.