CEIBS Insights | The 5th Europe Forum - Brussels
The 4th Industrial Revolution: Opportunities and Challenges for Europe and China
As we enter the era of Globalisation 4.0, the world is undergoing great changes unseen in a century: the rise of emerging economies is redefining the existing global governance system and international order; a new technological revolution and sweeping industrial transformation are fostering fierce competition on a global scale; and new challenges are emerging in areas such as data security and privacy protection. Against this backdrop, a rising tide of anti-globalisation, trade protectionism and unilateralism is generating global political and economic uncertainty and instability.
Within this context, economic and trade relations between China and Europe are an important bulwark of multilateralism and free trade. Moreover, both economies plan to further deepen their cooperation. With over four decades of reform and opening-up, China has continually upgraded its economy by transitioning from old growth drivers to new ones. At the same time, European countries are experiencing a moderate economy at a time when the Europe 2020 Strategy is drawing to a close. In light of this, the technological innovation unleashed by the oncoming Fourth Industrial Revolution could be crucial for both sustaining China’s economic growth and restoring the economic vitality of EU member states. As China further opens its doors to the outside world, EU countries will find significant opportunities to take innovative technology from lab to market.
When it comes to innovation-driven cooperation, there is huge scope for Sino-European partnerships in areas including new energy, smart manufacturing, food additives, finance, microelectronics, biopharmaceuticals, energy conservation, environmental protection and life sciences. As economic ties improve, how can China and Europe balance government policy and market forces to achieve sustainable technological innovation? How can SMEs in China and Europe leverage opportunities to expand into overseas markets? At this Forum, distinguished representatives of political and business communities in China and Europe will share insights into new approaches for bilateral cooperation.
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09:30-10:00 |
Registration |
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10:00-10:15 |
Welcome Address
Host: |
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10:15-10:35 |
Keynote Speech I: EU and China: Challenges and Opportunities for the Future of Industrial Policy Ms. Elżbieta Bieńkowska |
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10:35-10:55 |
Keynote Speech II: Toward a Deepened and Wider China-EU Innovation Cooperation Minister. Wang Hongjian |
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Session I: |
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Competition to develop new technologies is the driving force of the latest Industrial Revolution taking place around the world. Europe, the birthplace of the First and Second Industrial Revolutions, has become an innovation powerhouse. Meanwhile, China has a vast market and is stepping up innovation and IPR protection in new fields. Governments on both sides are committed to technological innovation, which has become a strategic driver for economic development. At the same time, both Europe and China have complementary markets and mutually-compatible strategies. Looking ahead, as China presses on with reform and opening-up and the Fourth Industrial Revolution gathers momentum, there are bright prospects for Sino-European cooperation on university-industry engagement, joint R&D and the commercialisation of cutting-edge technologies. |
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10:55-12:25 |
Moderator: Dr. Maria Demertzis, Deputy Director, Bruegel Panellists:
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12:25-12:35 |
Luncheon Reception Address Mrs Gwenn Sonck, Executive Director, EU-China Business Association |
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12:35-13:30 |
Luncheon |
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13:30-13:45 |
Introduction to Session Prof. Eric Cornuel, President , EFMD |
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13:45-14:05 |
Keynote Speech III: China’s Innovation Potential and its Global Implication Prof. Xu Bin |
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14:05-14:25 |
Keynote Speech IV: Innovation in Europe: Past, Present and Future Ms. Signe Ratso |
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Session II: |
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Artificial intelligence has been in widespread use for over 60 years and as new AI technologies gradually move out of the laboratory into the marketplace, they are now driving both production and social change. For many years, EU countries have had a technological edge in life sciences, nanotechnology, and environmental protection. China, on the other hand, has more recently shown its prowess in artificial intelligence and big data. Today, digital and smart technologies are breaking down geographical barriers, but concerted global efforts are needed to achieve technological breakthroughs, the benefits of which should be enjoyed worldwide. China and Europe have a long history of technological cooperation. In the future, as they continue to strengthen economic ties, a new technological revolution will bring them boundless opportunities to work together on the commercialisation of new technologies, allowing them to share the fruits of this market. |
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14:25-15:55 |
Moderator: Prof. Ding Yuan, Vice President and Dean, Professor of Accounting, Cathay Capital Chair in Accounting, CEIBS Panellists:
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15:55-16:15 |
Closing Keynote Speech Prof. Pascal Lamy |
Organisers: CEIBS; Bruegel
Supporting Organisers: EU-China Business Association;
European Foundation for Management Development;
Shanghai Institutes for International Studies;
Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union
Bruegel, 4F Rue de la Charité 33, 1210 Brussels
Ms. Hao An
Tel: +86-21-28905260
Email: ahao@ceibs.edu
