On October 23, 2008, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, who came to Beijing to attend the Seventh Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM7), visited the National School of Administration and delivered a speech. Ma Kai, State Councilor, Secretary-General of the State Council and President of the National School of Administration met with Barroso and chaired Barroso’s speech.

Barroso said that he was very pleased to come to the National School of Administration to deliver a speech. He expressed congratulations on China's successful hosting of the Olympics and the Paralympics. He believed that the financial crisis that took place under the conditions of economic globalization has crossed national boundaries and therefore requires strong global cooperation. China's contribution to the world economy is very important. In recent years, EU-China relations have maintained a positive momentum of growth. I hope that the two sides could further strengthen cooperation and develop the EU-China comprehensive strategic partnership. Barroso also shared his views on international finance, economy, energy, climate change and other international issues of common concerns and answered questions raised by students and teachers.

Ma Kai expressed his appreciation for Barroso’s views on developing China-EU bilateral relations. He said that the Chinese government has always attached great importance to developing relations with the European Union and strengthening China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership conforms to the fundamental interests of both sides. The National School of Administration has carried out in-depth and extensive exchanges and cooperation with related parties from the European Union over the years. Ma Kai expressed the hope for the two sides to further expand areas of cooperation, explore innovative forms of cooperation and enhance the effectiveness of cooperation.

More than 400 representatives attended Barroso’s speech, including Wei Liqun, Secretary of the CPC Committee of the National School of Administration and Executive Vice President of the National School of Administration, Ambassador Song Zhe, the head of the Mission of China to the EU, Mr. Serge Abou, EU Ambassador to China, the students attending training programs for ministerial-level cadres, educational programs for county chiefs (mayors), and programs for Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions, and college faculty and staff.