Archives September 2025

At the historic juncture of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of China-EU diplomatic relations, the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue, co-hosted by the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), was successfully held in Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, from September 22 to 23.

More than 30 senior representatives from the political and business communities of China and Europe gathered to engage in in-depth discussions on topics such as “New Challenges and New Opportunities in China-Europe Economic and Trade Relations” and “Deepening Practical Cooperation in Key Areas.” The dialogue aimed to build consensus and contribute wisdom for the sound and stable development of China-EU relations.

Distinguished participants included José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Chairman of ECECDC and former Prime Minister of Spain; Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of ECECDC and former Prime Minister of Romania; Pan Feng, President of the ECECDC; Wang Yiming, Vice Chairman of CCIEE and Executive Vice President of its Executive Office; Hu Xiaolian, Vice Chairwoman of CCIEE; Xu Feng, Vice Mayor of the Nanjing Municipal People’s Government; Lu Shaye, Special Representative of the Chinese Government on European Affairs and former Chinese Ambassador to France; as well as business leaders and former senior officials from both China and Europe. Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary, delivered a video address.

Participants noted that the current international landscape is undergoing complex changes, with profound adjustments in global industrial and supply chains. As two of the world’s major economies, China and the EU should remain committed to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes, and jointly safeguard multilateralism and the free trade system.

Chinese representatives highlighted that China-EU economic and trade cooperation has achieved remarkable results, reflected not only in trade figures but also in the deep collaboration between enterprises across multiple sectors. European representatives stressed that stable and predictable economic and trade relations serve the fundamental interests of both sides. They cautioned that excessive politicization could harm market and supply chain interests, and called for deeper business cooperation in areas such as green development, digital innovation, clean energy, and energy storage to achieve mutual benefits.

The conference released a think tank research report entitled “Building a New Type of Strategic Partnership between China and Europe for the Future,” providing intellectual support for the long-term development of China-EU relations.

The successful hosting of the First China-Europe Business Leaders and Former Senior Officials Dialogue in Nanjing established a new platform for deepening exchanges between the business communities of China and Europe, and further built broad consensus on advancing practical cooperation. Looking ahead, China and the EU are expected to strengthen collaboration in green development, digital innovation, scientific research, and global governance, working hand in hand to inject greater certainty into global stability and prosperity, and jointly open a brighter chapter for the next 50 years of cooperation.

On September 21, 2025, diplomats from over twenty European countries to China visited Beijing’s Shunyi District, where they toured the China-Germany Industrial Park and the Luo Hong Art Museum to learn about the district’s industrial development and cultural features.

In the evening, the welcome banquet “European Diplomats Discover Shunyi & Soul of the Balkans’—Explore the Taste of Bosnia and Herzegovina” was held. Gong Zongyuan, Secretary of the CPC Shunyi District Committee; Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Romania; and Sinisa Berjan, Ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to China, attended and delivered speeches. Nearly 150 participants joined the event, including diplomats from more than 20 countries such as Albania, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, Serbia, and Spain, as well as representatives of chambers of commerce, the Delegation of the European Union to China, and former Chinese ambassadors to Europe.

As the international gateway of the capital and a key hub for the airport economy, Shunyi is accelerating its development into a high-quality modern new city integrating ports, industries, and urban living. This exchange event provided a platform to deepen practical cooperation between China and Europe and demonstrated Shunyi’s commitment to a high level of opening up.

Pan Feng, President of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC); Aurelian Gogulescu, Member of the ECECDC and President of the Prahova Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and Denis Jelimălai, Secretary General of the ECECDC and former Ambassador of Moldova to China, also attended the event.

On September 19, the First Global Geographical Indication Products Expo and the China–EU Geographical Indications Agreement Forum, hosted by the China Council for International Investment Promotion (CCIIP) and strongly supported by the Delegation of the European Union to China, among others, opened in Shunyi District, Beijing. Romania served as the Guest Country of Honor, and GI products from nearly 30 countries and regions were showcased at the event. Dritan Abazović, Co-Chair of the Europe–China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Montenegro, attended the opening ceremony and delivered a keynote speech. Also present at the opening ceremony were Fang Aiqing, Chairman of the China Council for International Investment Promotion; Violeta Mușat, State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture of Romania; Lu Shaye, Special Representative of the Chinese Government for European Affairs; Mattias Lentz, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to China; Pan Feng, President of the ECECDC; Cui Xiaohao, Deputy Secretary of the CPC Shunyi District Committee and District Mayor of Beijing’s Shunyi District, along with more than 300 Chinese and foreign dignitaries, representatives of institutions, and business leaders.

In his remarks, Abazović noted that geographical indications constitute “a new language for mutual understanding in the world,” embodying commitments to authenticity, assurances of quality, and the inheritance of culture. He emphasized that cooperation in the field of geographical indications would build a more solid bridge for international trade and cultural exchanges between China and other countries.

On September 3, Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and former Prime Minister of Romania, was invited to attend in Beijing the commemorative event marking the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. As a former political leader, Viorica Dăncilă warmly shook hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Madame Peng Liyuan. Together with 45 other foreign leaders and dignitaries, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, they posed for a group photo, paid tribute to veterans of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and World War II, and viewed the grand military parade from Tiananmen Rostrum.