EU-China Relations in Transition: Challenges and Opportunities

ASIA FORUM

 

Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 10:00-11:30

Prof. Xinning SONG

Senior Research Fellow at the United Nations University, Bruges

Location: ISDP, Västra Finnbodavägen 2, Stockholm-Nacka. For a map and directions, please go here.

To attend: RSVP to Ms. Martina Klimesova at mklimesova@isdp.eu

Undergoing a period of rapid development (1995-2005), especially an imagined honeymoon in 2003-2004, the EU-China relationship enters into a new period of transition. Both the EU and China starts to rethink their bilateral relationship. During this transition, both sides face challenges such as: (1) How to define EU-China relations? Is it a comprehensive strategic partner, or normal cooperative (or even competitive) working partner? (2) How to position the EU and China in world political economy? Have they become the global powers, or still the regional powers? What are the realistic expectations from both sides? (3) How to look at the challenges of other countries, especially the role of the US and East Asian countries, not just in political and security aspects, but also economically?

Dr. Xinning SONG is also Jean Monnet Professor for European Integration Studies at Renmin University of China in Beijing. Prof. Song was previously the Director of the Centre for European Studies at Renmin University from 1994 to 2007. He acted also as the Vice Chair and then the Associate Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University from 1988 until 2005. Prof. Song is a member of ISA, BISA, the China Association of European Studies and the China Association of Asian Pacific Studies. He is a member of the Editorial/Advisory Board of various academic journals.