Dear CEIBS community,

2025 marks a historic milestone: the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the European Union and China. Amid an unpredictable geopolitical landscape, economic uncertainty, and the rapid development of disruptive technology, this relationship is more relevant than ever; ties between China and the EU have the potential to act as an anchor, a stabilising force promoting mutually beneficial outcomes in a world that can feel chaotic and driven by individual national interests.

Links between China and Europe stretch back over 2,000 years, to when the Silk Road first connected their ancient civilisations. Half a century ago, in the midst of the Cold War and well ahead of the rise of globalisation and China’s reform and opening up, China and the EU’s predecessor the European Economic Community displayed independence, pragmatism, and foresight in reaching across the East-West divide to formally establish a diplomatic partnership. In the five decades since, the EU-China relationship has led to mutual progress in everything from economic development, trade, and technology to energy, culture, education, and the environment.

Founded 31 years ago, CEIBS is a symbol of the sincere desire from both sides to meaningfully cooperate. During a visit by an early EU delegation to China, the concept of jointly building an international business school rooted in China perfectly aligned with the country’s goals of educational reform and opening. Officially established on November 8, 1994, as a testing ground for open cooperation in management education between China and EU, the school has since consistently received the support of the institutions of government of both sides since its establishment. It represents, in many ways, a lasting friendship that we hope can become a model of mutual understanding.

With campuses in Shanghai, Beijing, and Shenzhen in China, Zurich in Switzerland, and Accra in Ghana, CEIBS has built bonds of education, connection and exchange spanning Asia, Europe, and Africa – not unlike the Silk Road that connected these regions millennia ago. Over the years, the school has hosted national political leaders and luminaries from the fields of European politics, business, and academia at its campuses in China, promoting open dialogue and deeper cooperation. Our annual Europe Forum exemplifies this kind of person-to-person economic and cultural exchange, as do our annual partnerships with top European business schools through exchange programmes and our over 30 annual study tours across Europe.

Our fostering of China-Europe cooperation also shines through our alumni network. CEIBS now boasts nearly 900 European alumni from more than 30 nations. Alumni enterprises have collectively invested over €18.2 billion in Europe, building connection through business practices and embodying each sides’ goals of mutual development and prosperity.

Throughout this journey, CEIBS has consistently received high praise from both Chinese and European leaders. Chinese Premier Li Qiang once remarked that “CEIBS has made great strides through innovation and internationalisation, contributing significantly to the development of Shanghai and China,” while former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao lauded CEIBS as “a cradle of excellent executives.” On the European side, former President of the European Commission Romano Prodi has asserted that “CEIBS is an incredible success, bigger than any dreams. CEIBS is an insurance for the better future of mankind,” while former President of European Commission José Manuel Barroso once hailed the school as “a role model of EU-China cooperation.”

The past fifty years of China-EU relations have encompassed times of peace and prosperity, and times of disagreement and complexity; our ongoing relationship will always, however, reflect a spirit of cooperation that transcends geographical boundaries and cultural differences, and represents a path toward a shared global future. The best way to honour this journey is not to merely celebrate past achievements, but to define the future through our actions today.

Standing at what feels increasingly like a historic turning point, CEIBS, as China’s only business school to originate from government-level collaboration, has a vital role to play in the next fifty years of EU-China relations, and therefore shoulders a great responsibility. We remain committed to fostering dialogue, deepening our strategic cooperation with EU institutions, expanding student exchange programmes, and developing innovative international curricula to ensure that our school remains, and becomes even more so, a fundamentally international school, while continuing to host events within Europe and facilitate cooperation between China, Europe and the world through our Zurich and Accra campuses.

We believe that education and knowledge are the means by which we can create a better future for us all. With mutual trust, respect and understanding, the relationship between Europe and China can be a driving force in creating a more peaceful and prosperous world.

On this special occasion, we, on behalf of the whole CEIBS community, pay tribute to an extraordinary journey of connection, dialogue, and understanding between the EU and China. We are committed to continue serving as a vital bridge and writing a new chapter in our remarkable relationship.

China Europe International Business School

      President              President (European) 

Wang Hong             Dominique Turpin