How should the EU Deal with China?

A little more than 40 years since China's opening and reform it has risen to a comprehensive global power which is a strategic partner, but also a competitor and even a strategic rival for the EU as stated in the EU-China strategic outlook.

While for many years after China joined WTO in 2001 its rapid growth was mostly seen as beneficial and an opportunity for European economic actors, in today's perception the balance of challenges and opportunities presented by China has shifted.

Programme


9h00 Opening

Dominique DAVID, President, Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe/ Advisor to the President, Institut Français des Relations Internationales (IFRI), Paris

Claudia CRAWFORD, Director, Konrad Adenauer Foundation Multilateral Dialogue, Vienna Dietmar SCHWEISGUT, Secretary General, Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe/ former Austrian and EU Ambassador to China

9h10 Panel 1: Global governance: Engaging with China while preserving Europe's values and interests in trade, investments and digital economy

Helena KOENIG, Deputy Director-General, DG Trade, European Commission

Reinhard BUETIKOFER, Member of the European Parliament/ Chair of the EP-Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China

Alice EKMAN, Senior Analyst, European Union Institute for Security Studies (EUISS), Paris

Moderation: Kristin SHI-KUPFER, Professor, Institute of Sinology, University of Trier; Senior Associate Fellow, MERICS Lab, Berlin

.10h25 Break

10h45 Panel 2: Eurasian connectivity: What Strategy, Whose Strategy?

Janez PREMOZE, former Slovenian Ambassador to China; Slovenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Romana VLAHUTIN, Ambassador at large for connectivity, European External Action Service (EEAS)

Peter HEFELE, Head of Asia and Pacific Department, Konrad-Adenauer-Foundation, Berlin

Mario HOLZNER, Director, Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw), Vienna Moderation: Regina FIGL, Head of China Taskforce, Ministry for Europe and International Affairs, Vienna

12h00 Conclusion

Dietmar SCHWEISGUT, Secretary General, Austro-French Centre for Rapprochement in Europe; former Austrian and EU Ambassador to China