April 30, 2009. Tianjin. -- Former leaders from Germany and France and Chinese government officials were among the audience of 200 people from the EU and China who participated in the 8th Euro-China Forum, held in this northern port city from April 28 to 29. The forum, which was hosted in China for the first time ever, provided a platform for guests to explore the theme "Enhancing China-Europe Cooperation In a Time of Global Challenges."

The event was organized by the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and Nankai University.

Among the guest speakers was Former German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder who delivered a speech on "The relationship between the EU and China in the 21st century." The Former Chancellor later joined former French Prime Minister Laurent Fabius, CEIBS Honorary President Liu Ji, and forum founder David Gosset in a discussion of the topic "The European Union and China in the 21st century." Former French President Jacques Chirac sent a congratulatory letter, while Li Zhao Xing, senior member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of China's National People's Congress was among the participants.

Gosset expressed pleasure at the level of participation in the event: "Beijing is very close, so many entrepreneurs, scholars, diplomats and ambassadors attended the forum." 

Attendees discussed issues such as business cooperation and the development of the city's Binhai New Area.  In addition, the sponsors organized a tour of the Urban Planning Exhibition Centre of the Binhai New Area and the Airbus A320 final assembly line.

Said Sam Woollard, Marketing Director of Dezan Shira & Associates Group: "We found the forum very interesting, with many high-level foreigners and Chinese... [and] the chance for us to speak freely."

Founded in 2002, the Euro-China forum has been held in six countries in Europe. The Binhai New Area's increasing attractiveness as a new global investment spot led to the decision to make it the venue for this year's event.

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