Background

50 years ago, on May 6, 1975, China and the European Economic Community (EEC) established diplomatic relations, a moment that became an important milestone in global diplomatic history and instrumental in China’s opening to the world. Over the past five decades, China-EU relations have gradually become a cornerstone of international relations and exercised a profound influence over world politics, security, trade, investment, technological innovation, and the environment. Faced with an increasingly fragmented world marked by geopolitical conflict, economic isolationism and the resulting decoupling and breaking of chains of trade, investment and technology transfer, a constructive and effective relationship between China and the EU is more vital than ever. Can the two powers leverage their shared common interests and responsibilities to address global challenges, promoting peace and prosperity and bringing more stability to an increasingly tumultuous world?

As an internationally renowned business school founded by China and the European Union, China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) is emblematic of the two powers’ cooperation and a perfect example of how the world can benefit from their effective collaboration. Serving as an important and increasingly rare bridge connecting the economic, educational and intellectual communities of China and Europe, the school’s success underlines the power of shared knowledge and mutual respect, and demonstrates the possibilities of cooperation across political, cultural and social divides in an increasingly fragmented world.

Organised by CEIBS, with the support of the Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China, this forum will review 50 years of existing cooperation and look towards the future, exploring how China and Europe can work together to build another five decades of effective partnership in key areas such as global trade, investment, innovation, digital transformation and climate action. Political decision-makers, business leaders and leading academics from both China and Europe, together with the China-based European diplomatic community as well as representatives of the European Union (including the member states) Chambers of Commerce in China, will celebrate the successes of the past 50 years with us and seek consensus on a path toward a brighter future.

Event Details

Date: 9 May, 2025
Venue: Petrochemical Auditorium, CElBS (Shanghai Campus)
Organiser: China Europe International Business School
Co-organiser: Delegation of the European Union to the People’s Republic of China

Agenda