On December 18th, the 3rd China-EU Track II High-Level Dialogue, co-hosted by the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA) and the European Policy Centre (EPC), was held successfully. Mr. Liu Qibao, Vice Chairman of the 13th CPPCC National Committee, and Mr. Herman Van Rompuy,  former President of the European Council and former Prime Minster of Belgium, attended the conference as Chairman of the Chinese and EU side and delivered keynote speeches respectively. Over 20 delegates from China and the EU attended the conference and gave their own remarks. The delegates include Mr. Wang Chao, President of the CPIFA, Mr. Xie Zhenhau, former China’s Special Envoy for Climate Change, Mrs. Jiang Xiaojuan, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Chinese State Council, Mr. Wei Jianguo, former Vice Minister of Commerce, Mr. Wu Hailong, President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, Mr. Gunnar Wiegand, former Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific at the European External Action Service (EEAS), Mrs. Maria João Rodrigues, President of the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), Mr. Declan Kelleher, former Ambassador of Ireland to China and Mr. Jo Leinen, former Chair of the China Delegation at the European Parliament. Mr. Yang Tao, Vice President of the CPIFA, and Ambassador Declan Kelleher co-chaired the conference.

The conference is themed “China-EU relations under new situation”. Participants of the two side conducted in-depth exchanges and discussion on the topics of “China-EU relations” and “China-EU cooperation on global governance” .

Both sides believed that the world has entered a new period of turbulence and transformation. The sound and steady development of China-EU relations and our joint oppose against “New Cold War” serve the common interest of China and the EU and the world at large. Though the two sides do not agree on some issues, dialogue and negotiation is believed to be the best solution to properly resolve differences. The conference has been successful in enhancing understanding and mutual trust and promoting cooperation.

The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on China-EU trade and technological cooperation, the Ukraine crisis, artificial intelligence, climate change and other issues of mutual interest.