Europe-China Knowledge Forum

The 3rd Europe-China Knowledge Forum “Reconnect China Dialogue? Conditions, Constraints and Futures of EU-China Engagement” successfully took place in Brussels

The 3rd Europe-China Knowledge Forum “Reconnect China Dialogue? Conditions, Constraints and Futures of EU-China Engagement” was successfully held under the auspices of the Reconnect China Horizon Europe project in Brussels, in the glorious Egmont Palace on 12 June!

With 130 attendants coming from all across Europe and beyond, the audience engaged in lively discussions around a wide variety of topics related to the ongoing and finished research work within the project.

We explored with the support of key experts the potential future(s) of EU-China engagement by casting a deeper look at main turning points, emerging constraints and alternative pathways shaping the relationship. Particular attention was given to recent internal developments in China, — not only including technological or economic changes but also social dynamics and societal transformations — as well as to China’s expanding global ambitions in the political and strategic arenas, and how these dynamics may influence its future multilayered engagement with the EU and its Member States.

Our conference panels also aimed to explore emerging areas of research on evolving geographical dimensions of China’s economic and political influence, with two panels focusing on regions such as the Arctic and Africa where interests increasingly intersect with those of the EU.

The final session wrapped up our series of annual conferences with a discussions on possible scenarios of future EU–China engagement where not only the ever-complex risks and barriers but also future opportunities for researchers, policymakers, business actors and the general population were highlighted.

A big congratulations goes towards University of Tartu as the main organiser and EGMONT – Royal Institute for International Relations as the host organisation for the great logistical and technical work!

If you attended the conference and would also like to give your opinion, please do so by filling out our short feedback survey until end of June!

Announcing first keynote speakers and topics of the 2025 ReConnect China conference

We are happy to announce a first update on the forthcoming 2nd Europe-China Knowledge Forum (conference) hosted by our partner Clingendael Institute in The Hague, Netherlands. The conference takes place on October 9 and is jointly organised between the ReConnect China consortium, Clingendael Institute and the Dutch China Knowledge Network.

Under the title “Rebalancing EU-China Relations in an Age of Global Turmoil” we will discuss the EU’s relationship towards China in the light of recent developments and important milestones that have shaped it since the past few years.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic EU-China relations (in May our project already co-organised a high-level symposium to celebrate this anniversary). As European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen stated in January in Davos, “It is time to pursue a more balanced relationship with China” or as the President of the European Council, António Costa, stated in July during the EU-China summit in Beijing “We are committed to deepening our bilateral partnership and pursuing constructive and stable relations, anchored in respect for the rules-based international order, balanced engagement and reciprocity”

So what does this new balance mean for Europe, and how should we achieve it? And how can the EU ensure that the bilateral partnership aligns to rules-based international order and mutual benefit?

These and similar questions will be discussed during our conference, for which the following keynote speakers have already been confirmed.

EU Ambassador to China H.E. Jorge Toledo (digital)
Maria Martin-Prat, Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General Trade at the European Commission
Dominic Porter, Head of Division, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan and Mongolia, European External Action Service

Visit the Clingendael website for more information on the conference and further updates!

Tartu hosted the first Europe-China Knowledge Forum

The city of Tartu in Estonia is a European Capital of Culture in 2024. And it was the host city for the first Europe-China Knowledge Forum organised by the ReConnect China project. From October 24-26, more than 100 participants from Europe, Southeast Asia and China joined the forum with the general theme “ReConnect China Dialog? Bridging Gaps, Charting Futures with Europe”.

The forum, which was held under Chatham House Rule, gave a stage to ReConnect China researchers to present their work on China-specific topics, in line with the project’s four focus points science and technology, trade and economy, politics and foreign policy. In addition, external experts, including academics, policy makers and professionals, contributed their views on EU-China relations in the various plenary and panel discussions organised.

For a full list of all ReConnect China and external speakers, please follow this link. Please also check the full conference website for plenty of more information.

The overall feedback to the first ECKF was more than positive and we are looking forward to its 2nd and 3rd edition, scheduled for 2025 in The Hague and for 2026 in Brussels.

And again thanks – or “Aitüma!” – to our hosts for the warm welcome and immaculate organisation of the Tartu ECKF, namely Elo Süld, Anastasia Sinitsyna and Evelyn Pihla!