EU Delegation to China hosts second EU-China conference in Beijing

EU Delegation to China hosts second EU-China conference in Beijing

Beijing, 13 May 2026 - The Delegation of the European Union to China hosted the second EU-China Conference on 12 May 2026 in Beijing, bringing together officials, academics, business leaders, experts, diplomats, media representatives and members of the public for a full day of open and constructive exchanges on the future of EU-China relations.

Under the theme "EU-China relations: navigating beyond the inflection point", this year's conference built on the success of the inaugural 2025 edition, which marked the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations. Hosted by the EU Delegation to China, the 2026 conference provided an open platform for frank discussion on how to rebalance and strengthen the EU-China relationship in a sustainable and mutually beneficial way.

The event was attended by over 500 participants in person, while the live stream on Weibo and Zoom platforms reached an online audience of nearly 50,000 viewers.

The conference opened with remarks by H.E. Jorge Toledo Albiñana, Ambassador of the European Union to China, who underlined: "the title of the conference "Navigating beyond the inflection point" captures a moment of uncertainty, but also a moment of choice, a chance to change direction, to correct course, and to rebalance our relation".

Ambassador Toledo's remarks were followed by an address from Director General Li Jian of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China stressing that the China-EU relations are crucial not only to the prosperity of the Eurasian continent but also to the stability of the global landscape.

The keynote address was delivered by Managing Director of the Asia Pacific Department of the European External Action Service Mr Erik KURZWEIL who underscored that, "the EU does not seek confrontation with China, nor do we advocate for decoupling. What we seek is a mature, balanced, and predictable relationship - one that recognizes our interdependence but also our distinct interests and values."

The conference brought together 41 panelists from the European Union and China, including government representatives, academics, business leaders and policy experts. Discussions focused on the current state and future direction of EU-China relations, following the recognition that the relationship has reached an important inflection point and requires renewed efforts to ensure balance, predictability and practical cooperation.

Throughout the day, participants exchanged views on key areas shaping the EU-China agenda, including trade and economic cooperation, peace and security, digital governance, development cooperation, the green transition, and intellectual property and Geographical Indications legal issues.

The conference reflected the EU Delegation's commitment to supporting open dialogue, informed debate and people-to-people exchanges between Europe and China at a time of significant global challenges.

Following the discussions, guests attended a reception featuring selected beverages and food products protected under the EU-China Agreement on Geographical Indications, experiencing the richness of these regional specialties. The Conference also presented the EU SME Centre's practical support for European SMEs in China and invited participants to explore the "Past Forward: European Heritage, Global Connections" photography exhibition, showcasing European Heritage Label cultural sites.

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