Archives May 2026

On 28 May 2026, John Clarke, Vice Chairman of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC), Former Director of the International Relations Department, Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development, European Commission; Expert in International Trade Negotiations and Geographical Indications, and an expert in international trade negotiations and geographical indications, was invited to attend the International Seminar “In Search of Common Ground: China-EU Economic Relations in Times of Global Disorder” in Xi’an, Shaanxi Province.

During the seminar, Clarke shared his reflections on his first visit to Xi’an in early 1984 and his return to the city today. Drawing on his personal experiences, he noted that European political and business communities need to visit China in person and gain a deeper understanding of the country’s development journey in order to adopt a more constructive, balanced and pragmatic approach towards China. The seminar featured in-depth discussions on the future direction of China-EU relations amid the adjustment of the global economic landscape, providing an important opportunity to enhance mutual understanding and trust and explore new areas for future cooperation.

On May 26, Pan Feng, President of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and Vice Chairman of the China-Europe Association for Technical and Economic Cooperation (CEATEC), attended the China-Germany (China-Europe) Hidden Champions Forum 2026.

Li Baojie, Deputy District Mayor of Shunyi District, Beijing, and Giulio Borafi, First Counselor for Economic and Commercial Affairs at the Embassy of the Republic of Italy in China, attended the forum in person and delivered remarks. Renato Loyero, Advisor on Budget Policy to the Office of the Prime Minister of Italy and Advisor to the Senate of the Republic of Italy, as well as Paolo Grasso, Chief of Staff to Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, delivered remarks via video.Participants held in-depth discussions on the directions and pathways for the coordinated development of small and medium-sized enterprises in China, Germany, and Europe, from the perspectives of national diplomatic strategies, regional openness and advantages, and industrial cooperation prospects, building consensus on openness and mutual benefit.

Building on the outcomes of the forum, the ECECDC will continue to strengthen its regular engagement with domestic and international enterprises and industry organizations, and promote deeper cooperation between more German and European hidden champions and China’s specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative enterprises in technological co-development, standard co-construction, and market sharing, helping Shunyi build a high-level hub for the clustered development of hidden champion and specialized, sophisticated, distinctive, and innovative enterprises from China, Germany, and Europe.

On May 26, the 7th China-CEEC Local Leaders’ Conference and the 2026 Shandong International Sister Cities Cooperation and Exchange Week officially opened in Jinan. The five-day event is themed “Walk Hand in Hand for a Shared Future”. Hosted by the People’s Government of Shandong Province and other relevant institutions, the conference has its main venue in Jinan and sub-venues in Binzhou, Linyi and Zibo. It brought together more than 600 Chinese and foreign guests from 44 countries, alongside 23 supporting special events focusing on economic and trade, science and education, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges. During the event, the articles of association of the federation were revised, and the Jinan Consensus was released.

Viorica Dăncilă, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Council for Economic Cooperation and Development (ECECDC), former Prime Minister of Romania and President of the Romania-China Friendship House, attended the event and gave an interview. She stated that language connectivity serves as the foundation of cooperation, and Chinese language courses have been offered in numerous schools across Romania. Boasting prominent strengths in industry and agriculture, Shandong is well-positioned to deepen practical cooperation with Romania in modern agriculture, cultural tourism, education, green economy and other fields. She also called for continued two-way exchanges based on civil society platforms.

On May 22, 2026, Massimo D’Alema, Co-Chair of the Europe-China Economic Cooperation and Development Council (ECECDC) and Former Prime Minister of Italy, and Ivan Cardillo, Secretary-General of the ECECDC, attended the “Beijing’s Resilience” Panel held during the Trento Economics Festival.

D’Alema noted that against the backdrop of multiple global uncertainties and slowing growth in international trade, China’s economy has maintained steady development and continued to create new opportunities for global economic growth. Cardillo participated in the panel discussion, sharing his views on deepening China-Europe economic and trade exchanges and expanding practical cooperation. Participants agreed that amid adjustments in the global trade landscape and the transformation of industrial structures, China and Europe could tap into cooperation potential in areas such as green and low-carbon transition, the digital economy, technological innovation, and global governance, thereby expanding space for mutually beneficial cooperation.