On 5 November 2026, the Chinese Mission to the EU, Friends of Europe, a leading European think tank, and the China Public Diplomacy Association jointly hosted the 14th China-Europe Forum in Brussels. H.E. Ambassador Cai Run, Head of the Chinese Mission to the EU; H.E. Ambassador Marcos Alonso Alonso, Permanent Representative of Spain to the EU; and Mr. Wu Haitao, Vice President of the China Public Diplomacy Association, attended the forum and delivered remarks. Mr. Pascal Lamy, former Director-General of the World Trade Organization, delivered remarks virtually. Under the theme “The Next 50 Years: Navigating Global Transitions in an AI World,” the forum featured in-depth discussions on strengthening exchanges and cooperation between China and the EU. Nearly 1,000 participants attended the forum both in person and online, including representatives from Chinese and European political, business, academic and media circles, as well as ambassadors and diplomats accredited to the EU.

In his address, Ambassador Cai Run noted that this year marks the beginning of the second 50 years of China-EU relations. Under the strategic guidance of President Xi Jinping and EU leaders, China-EU relations have maintained steady momentum. This relationship is now at a critical stage. Both sides should remain committed to the positioning of partnership, to resolving economic and trade differences and frictions through dialogue and consultation, and to respecting each other’s core interests and major concerns, so as to ensure the steady and sustained development of China-EU relations. China is ready to expand exchanges and cooperation with the EU on AI, and jointly build a just and equitable global AI governance system. Ambassador Cai also stressed the great significance of the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.

Chinese participants noted that China and the EU have enormous potential for cooperation and could deepen practical cooperation in areas such as digital and green development to promote shared prosperity. European participants emphasized that the EU and China are important partners and should strengthen cooperation, properly manage differences, and achieve mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.

The forum was held in a candid and friendly atmosphere, with Chinese and European participants engaging in lively exchanges that helped deepen mutual understanding.