The Swedish Belt and Road Research Institute in Stockholm held an online panel on March 19 titled “China-Europe Relations in a Changing World.” China’s Acting Ambassador to Sweden, Wan Degang, attended and delivered a speech. Experts from Germany, Norway, Serbia, Denmark, and the Netherlands also shared their views. The panel emphasized that China and Europe have complementary economic advantages, highlighting significant cooperation potential in areas such as green transition, technological innovation, and supply chains. Participants stressed the need for both sides to seize the development opportunities that the Belt and Road Initiative offers to Europe.
In his speech, Wan Degang stated that while global uncertainties are increasing, China continues to act as a responsible force for global stability. He also highlighted that this year marks the 50th anniversary of China-Europe diplomatic relations and the 75th anniversary of China-Sweden relations, calling for stronger partnerships between the parties.
Stephen Brawer, President of the Swedish Belt and Road Research Institute, remarked, “Although our world is filled with uncertainties, the Belt and Road Initiative promotes cooperation and friendship among nations as a global development policy.”
Former UN Under-Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the Green Belt and Road Coalition, Erik Solheim, delivered a speech titled “China as a Pillar of Stability in an Era of Global Uncertainty,” emphasizing China’s role in ensuring political and economic stability.
Bojan Lalić, President of the Belt and Road Research Institute in Belgrade, Serbia, noted that ten years have passed since Eastern European countries joined the Belt and Road Initiative, and significant progress has been made, particularly in infrastructure development.
Bernd Einmiller, President of the Germany-China Friendship Association, stated that humanity faces global challenges such as diseases and climate change and emphasized that multilateral cooperation is key to addressing these issues. He stressed that Europe should foster greater cooperation with China, BRICS countries, and the Global South to promote shared development.
Maz Amon, President of the Slovenia-China Friendship Association, highlighted that China’s four decades of reform and opening-up policies have led to profound economic and social transformations. He pointed out that high-speed railway projects developed under the Belt and Road Initiative present significant economic opportunities for small European countries like Slovenia.
Hussein Askary, Vice President of the Swedish Belt and Road Research Institute, suggested that the European Union should reassess its policies on migration and Africa’s development. He stated, “The Belt and Road Initiative provides a suitable framework for Europe to develop concrete cooperation with China on these issues. Instead of remaining in an unstable position, the EU should seize these opportunities and move toward a more advantageous stance.”