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East meets West Expert Series An Expert Roundtable organised by the Europe-Asia Centre, Brussels – August 2022 The Digital Markets Act (DMA) presents another legislative step of the European block towards strengthening the European’s “strategic autonomy”. With the rise and integration of digital platforms into almost every dimension of European life, Europe recognized the need to regulate not only the benefits of digital transformation, but also of disadvantages and risks such as the negative influence on fundamental rights, state of democracies, societies and economies at large. At the core of the Digital Markets Act (DMA) remains the issue of tackling competition rules, which have previously fallen short in regulating the business practices of tech giants such as Google, Amazon or Meta. The political signal sent has been clear and as stated by the leading MEP working on the DMA, Andreas Schwab (EPP, Germany): “The DMA will rule out these practices, sending a strong signal to consumers and business in the single market: rules are set by the co-legislators, not private companies”. With many industry and regulatory stakeholders supporting the idea of some form of regulatory dialogue, there is a mutual consensus on benefits for both users and gatekeepers. Despite the political will in both the Council and European Parliament, there remains the need for dialogue towards making the final text implementable – with both obligations for gatekeepers and their accountability, and perhaps of even higher importance, developing the understanding on effect DMA will have on digital platforms, businesses or private users. Participating high-level guests Ambassador (ret.) Piet Steel, Chairman of Europe-Asia Centre, Belgium H.E. Dr. Andreas Schwab, Member of the European Parliament (EPP Group) and lead on the Digital Markets Act, Germany H.E. Mark Boris Adrijanic, Minister for Digital transformation (2020 – 2022), Slovenia Participating experts Dr. Sebastian Hallensleben, Chair of CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, expert advisory board of EU StandICT and co-chair of OECD ONE.AI group, Germany Dr. Miguel Otero-Iglesias, Professor of Practice at IE School of Global and Public Affairs and Senior Analyst at Elcano Royal Institute Spain Roundtable moderator Mr Matic Gajsek, Deputy Director, Europe – Asia Center, Belgium Bottom of the page link to the webinar:

East meets West Expert Series An Expert Roundtable organised by the Europe-Asia Centre, Brussels – October 2022 The Digital Markets Act (DMA) and the Digital Services Act (DSA) marked a substantial legislative step of the European Union towards strengthening the European’s “strategic autonomy”, central concept expected to also strengthen EU’s multilateral action reduce external dependence and reduce vulnerabilities such as the disinformation across digital information. The ongoing geopolitical tensions and consequential pause in the negotiations of a Comprehensive trade agreement (CTA) between EU and China, do hamper the progress of a structured dialogue in the area of Internet governance covered by the DMA and DSA. Regulations currently targeting business practices of the U.S. tech giants such as Google, Amazon or Meta, do create a legitimate concern for European policy makers on the future of the EU digital markets, as Chinese digital technology firms could be left alone to grow. The question arises on what opportunities and future challenges DMA and DSA can bring to the EU-China dialogue. Participating high-level guests Ambassador (ret.) Piet Steel, Chairman of Europe-Asia Centre (Belgium) H.E. Dr. Andreas Schwab, Member of the European Parliament (EPP Group) and lead on the Digital Markets Act (Germany) Dr. Henry Huiyao Wang, President and Founder of China Center for Globalization (China) Participating experts Dr. Sebastian Hallensleben, Chair of CEN-CENELEC JTC 21, expert advisory board of EU StandICT and co-chair of OECD ONE.AI group (Germany) Ms Mireia Paulo, Head of Management of the Centre for EU-Asia Connectivity (CEAC) and Lecturer/Research Associate at Ruhr-Universität Bochum, Senior Consultant at the Shanghai A&Z Law Firm (Germany / Spain) Maria Adele Carrai, Assistant Professor of Global China Studies at NYU Shanghai (China) Roundtable moderator Mr Matic Gajsek, Deputy Director, Europe – Asia Center (Belgium) Bottom of the page link to the webinar:

Brussels, June 10th, 2024 On Friday, 7th of June, the Europe-Asia Center was honored to meet representatives of the East Asia & Pacific chapter of the European Business Organization Worldwide Network (EBOWN) on the occasion of their yearly regional meeting in Brussels. After an insightful introduction on contemporary EU-Asia relations by Europe-Asia Center Co-Chair H.E. Jean de Ruyt, and a presentation of the Europe-Asia Center by Director for Europe Mr. Matic Gajsek, participants discussed challenges and opportunities for enhancing EU-Asia business ties, expressing concerns about the growing geopoliticization of relations, and underscoring the imperative for intensified efforts in promoting dialogue and mutual understanding. Including representatives from the business chapters of Australia, Hong Kong, Macao, Mongolia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, and South Korea, the EBOWN delegation emphasized the importance of organizations like the Europe-Asia Center in bridging divides amidst an increasingly complex global geopolitical landscape. Moving beyond business matters, participants notably highlighted the significance of cultural collaboration, recognizing its potential to alleviate tensions and enhance the trade and investment environment between the EU and Asia. "Peace and stable relations are the bedrock upon which successful European trade and investment in Asia are built. Therefore, collaborating with business leaders to fortify dialogue and partnerships between East and West is a cornerstone priority for the Europe-Asia Center," noted Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator at the Europe-Asia Center, at the conclusion of the meeting. For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels, June 7th, 2024 On Thursday, 6th of June, the Europe-Asia Center had the pleasure of virtually meeting H.E. Ambassador Michael Christides, Co-Chair of the Executive Committee of the Balkans & Black Sea Forum (BBSF), and Mr. Giannis Balakakis, Chair of the Organizing Committee of the BBSF and President of the Board of Directors of the Geo Routes Cultural Institute. In an productive discussion, the two sides explored strategies to enhance cultural tourism, advance gender equality and social inclusion, and strengthen the ties between Europe and Asia. Additionally, Europe-Asia Vice-Chair H.E. Madame Violeta Bulc presented her Ecocivilisation initiative, which generated significant interest. Mr. Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe of the Europe-Asia Center, noted with satisfaction: "The Europe-Asia Center and the Balkans & Black Sea Forum are, to use an expression that is very much en vogue in recent years, very much "like-minded" organizations. Following this introductory meeting, I am eager to collaborate on concrete and forward-looking projects." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels/Beijing, May 12th, 2024 On Saturday, 11th of May, the Europe-Asia Center, in collaboration with Pangoal Institute, hosted the inaugural session of the landmark Europe-Asia Integration and Connectivity Symposium, held in Beijing, China. In the first part of the symposium, distinguished thought leaders, policymakers, and artists gathered for dynamic panel discussions and delivered illuminating keynote addresses on the topics of arts, education, and women's empowerment. Among the esteemed speakers were H.E. Erik Solheim, Co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former UN Undersecretary-General; H.E. Jean de Ruyt, Co-chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former Belgian Ambassador to the EU and UN; H.E. Irina Bokova, former Director General of UNESCO; Madame Sheila Arora, Vice-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center, Professor Wei Shen, Vice-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center, and Yan Rui, Secretary General of the Europe-Asia Center. Additionally, the summit welcomed prominent guests including Yi Peng, Chairman of the Pangoal Institute; H.E. Xia Hua, Deputy to the National People's Congress; H.E. Zhang Gu, former Deputy Secretary-General of the Sichuan Provincial Government; Li Guanru, founder of L3 Branding; Wang Weiqi, bestselling science fiction author; and Wang Yue, Secretary General of the Pangoal Institute, who all enriched the discourse with their invaluable insights. In their discussions, the panellists emphasized the critical role of arts and education in bridging Europe and Asia, and underscored the need for increased funding and collaboration on joint projects in these areas. Notably, Madame Bokova highlighted the importance of promoting STEAM education—science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics. In the afternoon, the symposium focused on international development strategies for Chinese enterprises. The discussions, featuring high-caliber guest speakers such as H.E. Bruno Angelet, Belgian Ambassador to China; H.E. Zhu Rui, former Assistant Minister of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China; and Christiane Prange, Visiting Professor at Zhejiang University School of Business, were both insightful and highly relevant. Distinguished board members of the Europe-Asia Center and Pangoal Institute further enriched the dialogue. Chinese businesses demonstrated significant interest in the symposium, with notable attendees including Zhao Hejuan, founder of TMT Post; Mei Xiangrong, Global Partner at Yingke Law Firm; Mao Daqing, founder of Ucommune; Fu Sheng, chairman of Cheetah Mobile; Bai Yunfeng, chairman of the State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation; and Zhou Xicheng, chairman of Langjing Environmental Technology Ltd. Companies shared best practices in their internationalization strategies and discussed lessons learned. Mr. Solheim emphasized the crucial role of business in not only fostering closer ties between Europe and Asia but also promoting the green transition and achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). A particular highlight was a virtual presentation by Lisa Lang, Director of Policy at Climate-KIC, on the EU's green legislation. This provided Chinese entrepreneurs with essential insights for entering the European market. Mr. Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, showed great satisfaction at the outcomes of the symposium, noting: "Seeing the outcome of this symposium has made me incredibly happy. I am looking forward to making this an annual event and expanding it even further next year, reaching wider parts of East Asia. I want to extend my heartfelt thanks to all the guests and panellists who made this event such a success." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels, May 28th, 2024 The Europe-Asia Center, has the immense pleasure and honour to introduce Prof. Dr. Christiane Prange as the new Research Director of the Europe-Asia Center. With an illustrious career spanning esteemed institutions such as Tongji University, Jiaotong University, Woxsen University, TIAS School for Business and Society, EMLYON Business School, Vienna University of Economics and Business, and most recently Zhejiang University International Business School (ZIBS), Christiane has long been a leading figure in fostering academic collaboration between East and West. As the author or co-author of 12 books and over 50 publications in renowned peer-reviewed academic and managerial journals, Christiane’s expertise seamlessly extends into the corporate world. As such, she has advised multinational giants like SAP, Infineon Technologies, Swisscom, and Volvo Group on their internationalization and agile strategies, in addition to founding Caralan Global, a successful consulting firm. The Europe-Asia Center eagerly anticipates Christiane’s invaluable contributions to spearheading its research efforts and bridging the EU-Asia knowledge gap. A very warm welcome to the team, Christiane. We are excited to thrive together! Mr. Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, expressed his enthusiasm about her appointment, stating: "Prof. Dr. Prange is the perfect fit for both our team and our research ambitions. She truly embodies the bridge between the EU and Asia like few others do, and I cannot wait to see the fruits of this collaboration." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels, May 24th, 2024 On Thursday, 23rd of May, the Europe-Asia Center, had the pleasure of welcoming a high-level delegation from China's Shaanxi Province, including representatives from Shaanxi's Commerce Department, the Xi'an Xianyang International Airport, and various industries. In an engaging dialogue, the two sides discussed strategies for enhancing EU-China physical connectivity, promoting tourism, and strengthening EU-China relations more broadly. Participants were particularly interested in the insightful analysis of contemporary EU-China relations from H.E. Ambassador Jean de Ruyt, Co-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center, as well as the eloquent calls for greater EU-China air and rail connectivity from Mr. Zhang Yingchun, Director of the Shaanxi Provincial Department of Commerce. Mr. Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator at the Europe-Asia Center, expressed great satisfaction with the results of the meeting, stating: "Being able to provide the platform for discussions on critical issues, such as EU-Asia physical connectivity, and reuniting partners from Europe and China, as well as the public and private sectors, is not only an honour and a pleasure but also essential in times where geopolitics often trump collaboration." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels - Shanghai, May 19th, 2024 On May 19th, in celebration of China National Tourism Day, YuYuan Group officially released "A Guide to Local Delights" of Shanghai. This guide aims to help inbound tourists deeply experience Shanghai's unique cultural charm and lifestyle aesthetics. The Guide was designed by the YuYuan’s Group Institute for Oriental Lifestyle Aesthetics Research, in collaboration with the European Institute for Comparative Urban Research (EURICUR), the Europe-Asia Center, and other institutions under the Oriental Lifestyle Aesthetics Ecological Alliance. It highlights 140 distinctive cultural, commercial, and tourist spots in central Shanghai through hand-drawn illustrations. The Guide offers a comprehensive experience with its multifunctional approach, combining navigation, guidance, shopping, and promotion, thereby vividly showcasing Shanghai's vibrant cultural atmosphere, fashion sense, and international flair. The guide’s objective is to establish Shanghai as the premier destination for inbound tourism in China and a world-renowned tourist city. Junjie Hu, Vice President, Spokesperson, and Director of the Institute for Oriental Lifestyle Aesthetics Research at YUYUAN Inc., emphasized that Shanghai is not only China's economic center but also a globally renowned tourist destination and a convergence point of Eastern and Western cultures. Inbound tourism serves as a vital window for Shanghai to present its city image to the world. As a global family-oriented consumption industry group based in Shanghai, YUYUAN Inc. is committed to enhancing the quality of its products and services and optimizing the consumption environment for inbound tourists. This commitment aims to meet the increasingly diverse demands of the inbound tourism market, providing international tourists with a richer and more enjoyable travel and shopping experience. Furthermore, YUYUAN Inc. has prioritized Oriental lifestyle aesthetics in its strategy, refining the cultural attributes of its brands and products in ways that resonate with overseas consumers. The company also seeks to promote its high-quality projects and brands internationally, showcasing Chinese culture and Oriental lifestyle aesthetics to attract more overseas visitors to China and Shanghai. The Guide is divided into four chapters: ‘Shanghai Must’, ‘Shanghai Speed’, ‘Local Shanghai’, and ‘Exploring Hidden Gems’, gradually unfolding Shanghai's story to the world. The 140 carefully selected experience points guide international visitors through four interactive actions—Navigating, Embracing, Sampling, and Exploring (N, E, S, E)—allowing them to engage with the oriental lifestyle aesthetics through all senses: sight, hearing, taste, smell, and touch. The selection of sites is based on the essence of Oriental culture and Shanghai's unique charm, incorporating high-frequency recommendations from international travel platforms, trending spots on social media, and official suggestions from the Shanghai Municipal Administration of Culture and Tourism. These are the must-see spots that appeal to travelers worldwide, including Shanghai Classical Restaurant and Lu Bo Lang for authentic local cuisine, the Royal Workshop of Chinese Brush and Ink and Tong Han Chun Tang for intangible cultural heritage experiences, and revitalized historic cultural districts like Julu Road, Sinan Road, and Xintiandi. The Guide also features the South Bund Textile Market and the Shang Gang Farmer’s Market, which blend the urban atmosphere with local life. The Guide's hand-drawn style, using delicate strokes and rich colors, vividly showcases Shanghai's oriental charm and lifestyle aesthetics, enhancing its visual appeal and helping tourists appreciate the city's unique allure. To provide more convenient and practical services for inbound tourists, the Guide is available in both Chinese and English. It integrates traditional offline paper manuals with online platforms, with integration offering tourists convenience in transportation, payment, and other aspects. Tourists can purchase integrated day, three-day, and seven-day passes by scanning QR codes on the Guide, allowing seamless access to all modes of transportation in the city. The Guide also partners with the "Leyou Yuyuan" mini-program to launch a special "Shanghai Old City Tour," providing information on various commercial activities in the Yu Garden area and exclusive promotions. To further support inbound tourism and attract more overseas consumers to China, YuYuan Group has accelerated its efforts to promote Chinese culture and Shanghai-style culture globally. From late 2023 to early 2024, the Yuyuan Lantern Festival, a renowned national intangible cultural heritage project, was held in Paris, France, for the first time, receiving praise from local French consumers. This event sparked interest in China and Chinese culture, encouraging French citizens to visit China and experience the Yuyuan Lantern Festival in Shanghai. This approach aims to attract more overseas visitors to China, offering them a deeper understanding of the country. For press enquiries: Matic Gajšek, Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: m.gajsek(at)europe-asia.org

Brussels/Hong Kong, May 15th, 2024 On the 14th of May, a high-level delegation from the Europe-Asia Center, led by Co-Chair H.E. Jean de Ruyt, former Ambassador to the UN, and H.E. Irina Bokova, former Director General of UNESCO, participated in the inaugural session of the Global Prosperity Summit held in Hong Kong. Organized by a group of business, academic and thought leaders, including the Savantas Policy Institute and the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies, the Summit provided a platform for honest, objective and rational discussions of dominant issues impacting global prosperity. During the summit, Ambassador de Ruyt took part in the panel on "Great Power Competition and Peaceful Co-Existence." He was joined by distinguished panelists, including Professor Cheng Li, founding director of the Centre on Contemporary China and the World at the University of Hong Kong; Mr. Hashim Djojohadikusumo, chairman of ARSARI Group of Companies; Ms. Susan A. Thornton, Senior Fellow at the Yale Law School; and Professor Yang Jiemian, Chairman of the Academic Advisory Council of the Shanghai Institutes for International Studies (SHS). Showcasing viewpoints from China, the U.S., Europe, and the ASEAN region, the panel provided a microcosm of perspectives on contemporary international relations. Meanwhile, H.E. Irina Bokova participated in the panel on "Climate Change and Sustainable Development," where she underscored the necessity of multilateral, UN-centered cooperation, and reminded the audience of the "5 Ps": People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership. She was joined by Mr. T.K. Chiang, CEO of CLP Holdings Limited; Mr. Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Professor Ye Qi, Professor at the School of Public Policy and Management, Tsinghua University. United in their commitment to addressing climate change and realizing the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the panelists shared a range of innovative approaches from both the public and private sectors, emphasizing the crucial need for close collaboration among all stakeholders to effectively tackle these global challenges. Matic Gajsek, Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, applauded the organization of the summit and expressed strong support for ongoing and future cooperation. "The Global Prosperity Summit has been an excellent platform for fostering dialogue and building partnerships. We look forward to contributing to next year's summit and continuing our collaboration with such esteemed organizations," he said. For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels, May 14th, 2024 On the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic relationship between Norway and China, Europe – Asia Center was delighted to host a senior delegation of the Xi’an Municipal Government led by Executive Deputy Mayon Mr Lyu Laisheng to Norway. As part of the high-level visit and exchanges, Europe – Asia Center hosted a Tourism and Investment promotion event titled “Xi’an: A Thousand Years, Endless Returns” on May 8th. Co-hosted by the Xi’an Municipal Government, XiXian New Development Area and the Europe – Asia Center, the event gathered over 30 Norwegian business leaders working on the Sino – Norwegian economic exchanges. Event featured keynote address by Executive Deputy Mayor of Xi’an Mr Lvu Laisheng, H.E. Ambassador Svein Ole Sæther, former Norwegian Ambassador to China (2007 – 2017). Presenting the investment and cooperation opportunities for Norwegian businesses and entrepreneurs in Xi’an were Mr Guo Xiaohui, Deputy Director of the Xi'an Investment and Merchants Bureau and Zhang Wei, a member of the Party Working Committee and Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of the Xixian New Area. Special reflection on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relationships were made by Mr Matic Gajsek, on behalf of the co-chair of Europe – Asia Center H.E. Erik Solheim, Mr Lars Almklov, Vice President and Director of Government and Public Affairs of DNV as one of Norway’s longest present businesses in Mainland China, and Ms Cao Sonja, member of the board of the Norwegian China Friendship Association, who shared more insights on the rich Sino-Norwegian people-to-people exchange projects. Their contributions offered an inspiring prospect on the future of socio-economic exchanges between Xi'an and Norway. For press enquiries: Matic Gajšek, Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: m.gajsek(at)europe-asia.org

Brussels, May 14th, 2024 On Monday, 13th of May, the Europe-Asia Center had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Eddie Cheung, Director of Radio Television Hong Kong (RTHK). In a dynamic and forward-looking dialogue, both sides explored the potential for EU-Asia media collaboration, with an emphasis on new media innovations. Matic Gajšek, Director for Europe at the Europe-Asia Center, underscored the meeting's importance, commenting: "Engagements like these deepen our commitment to fostering robust EU-Asia relations. The potential for growth through new media collaboration is immense and holds promise for enhanced understanding between our regions." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org

Brussels, May 11th, 2024 On Friday, 10th of May, a high-level delegation from the Europe-Asia Center, led by its two Co-Chairs, the former UN Undersecretary General H.E. Erik Solheim and former Ambassador to the UN H.E. Jean de Ruyt, and including former UNESCO Director General H.E. Irina Bokova, Vice-Chair Sheila Arora, Vice-Chair Wei Shen, Secretary-General Rui Yan, and Programme Coordinator Jonathan Schwestka, visited the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFCC), one of the major foreign affairs organizations of the People's Republic of China. The meeting was held in an idyllic venue in the heart of Beijing, providing a perfect backdrop for the day's events. Amidst a convivial atmosphere, both parties engaged in candid discussions concerning the present state of EU-China relations, thoroughly examining challenges and exploring pathways for positive change. Emphasizing the importance of avoiding the securitization of trade and investment, they reaffirmed their commitment to cooperation aimed at nurturing mutual understanding and trust between China and Europe. The exchange of ideas and perspectives was frank and honest, and underscored the mutual desire to build stronger ties, as well as highlighted the potential for collaborative efforts in addressing global challenges. Both the Europe-Asia Center and CPAFCC recognized the value of such high-level exchanges in fostering long-term, positive relationships between the two regions. At the end of the meeting, Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator at the Europe-Asia Center, noted: "Engaging in these dialogues and keeping open channels of communication is akin to tending a garden; it requires consistent effort and care, but the results are worth it. By exploring strategies for positive change together, we can cultivate a landscape of mutual respect and understanding, ensuring a fruitful future for both Europe and China." For press enquiries: Jonathan Schwestka, Project Coordinator, Europe – Asia Center E-mail: jonathan.schwestka@europe-asia.org