European External Action Service

04/23/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/24/2026 22:20

Press Release: EU Delegation to host second conference on EU-China relations

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Press Release: EU Delegation to host second conference on EU-China relations

© European Union, 2026

The EU Delegation to China will host the second EU-China Conference on 12 May 2026 in Beijing, building on the success of the inaugural 2025 edition, attended by over 500 guests and featured which marked the 50th anniversary of EU-China relations. This year's conference will once again provide an independent, open, and unrestricted platform for frank and constructive discussions on the future of the EU-China relationship.

The theme of this years' conference: "EU-China relations: navigating beyond the inflection point" is inspired by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's remarks at the 25th EU-China Summit in July 2025, where she highlighted that EU-China relations have reached an inflection point, requiring urgent rebalancing to ensure a sustainable and mutually beneficial partnership.

Programme Overview

The one-day conference will bring together over 40 panellists, including government officials, academics, business leaders, and experts from both the EU and China, to explore solutions for a more balanced and cooperative relationship. The event will begin with opening remarks by EU Ambassador Jorge Toledo and a representative of the Chinese government, followed by a keynote address and a plenary discussion.

In the afternoon, the conference will feature six thematic panels divided into two sessions. The first session will cover trade and economic cooperation, peace and security, and digital governance, while the second session will address development cooperation, green transition, and intellectual property and geographical indications (GI) legal issues.

Public Access & Online Participation

To encourage broad engagement, the conference will be open to the public, with live streaming available on Weibo and Zoom. Further details, including access links, will be announced shortly.

Media Contact & Registration

For media enquiries or participation requests, please contact the EU Delegation to China at: [email protected]

Dedicated webpage for the Conference

European External Action Service published this content on April 23, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 25, 2026 at 04:20 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]