About 30 politicians, academics, business leaders, and other notable figures spoke at the China-Europe Forum on Reform and Globalization in Madrid on Nov 22.
The forum was hosted by China Daily, in collaboration with the China Institute for Reform and Development, and ESADEgeo-Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics. The forum partners were Beijing Automotive Group Co, Melia Hotels International, and El País.
The forum was attended by Irene Lozano, state secretary for global Spain, and José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, former prime minister of Spain, and more than 150 representatives from the political, business, and academic fields, as well as members of the media.
The forum featured in-depth discussions across the topics of ‘China-Europe Partnership & Reform’, ‘Sino-Spanish Strategic Relations and Common Prosperity’, and ‘Economic Development and Globalization Process’.
The discussions revisited China’s reform and opening-up journey, examined growing China-EU collaboration, and China-Spain collaboration within a new era, and the continued building of an open and free global trade and economic landscape.
The forum’s opening addresses were given by Wang Xiaohui, executive deputy head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and deputy head of the Policy Research Center of the CPC Central Committee; Javier Solana, former NATO secretary-general and former Spanish minister of foreign affairs as well as chairman of the ESADEgeo-Center for Global Economy and Geopolitics; and Lyu Fan, China’s ambassador to Spain.
Keynote speeches were given by Liu Shijin, vice-chairman of the China Development Research Foundation, deputy director of the Economic Affairs Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference; and Bernard Dewit, chairman of the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce.
Wang Xiaohui said: “This year marks the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Spain. In a few days, President Xi Jinping will make a formal visit to Spain, which will inject new momentum and the China-Spain bilateral relationship will enter a new chapter. To host the China-Europe Forum on Reform and Globalization now, and focus its discussions on the topics of China’s reform and opening-up and China-EU relations is timely and significant. China-EU relations is one of the most important bilateral relations in the world. It concerns not only the development of China and the EU, but also impacts the world’s political and economic development paradigm. China’s 40 years of reform and opening-up marks a history of the Chinese people’s hard work and devotion, and marks an important chapter of China’s development. China has witnessed incredible transformations, China has entered a new era of socialism with Chinese characteristics. China has not only demonstrated its strength, but also brought prosperity to the world, and became a significant driver of global development and a force for stability for world economic growth. It has become a lively and big market for the world and an active contributor for global governance reform.”
Wong added: “As China continues to deepen its reforms, it will create a significant driving force for a new and open world. China’s pursuit of a new round of high-level opening-up welcomes countries from Europe and around the world to seize the opportunity to develop, realize mutual prosperity and build an open global economy together. China’s proposal to build a community with a shared future for mankind has pointed the direction for future world development and been widely acknowledged. China and the EU should recognize the challenges we face together and master the logic of world development. In addition, we should uphold international rules, stick to multilateralism, deal with common challenges, and strive to be a model of cooperation through inclusiveness, mutual learning, mutual benefits and win-win cooperation. The Belt and Road Initiative has developed concrete projects and is providing broader opportunities for China-EU cooperation. Both parties should broaden cooperation channels, build new models for economic growth, cooperation, governance and development, and share the benefits of greater connectivity in Eurasia.”
