The Liechtenstein Institute on Self-Determination at Princeton University convened a Liechtenstein Colloquium (LCM), “China in Europe: Chinese Interests from Lisbon to Vladivostok,” in Triesenberg, Liechtenstein, August 17-20, 2017. The colloquium brought together senior diplomats, academics, policy-makers, and experts from China, the European Union, EuraAsia and the United States including featured addresses from Ambassador Yanping Gao, Ambassador Hans Dietmar Schweisgut, Professor Thomas Christensen, Dr. Honjian Cui, and Professor Wolfgang Danspeckgruber. The colloquium was hosted in the style of a Princeton seminar, whereby all participants were encouraged to participate actively and throughout the meeting in order to discuss the future of China and European relations, and to foster greater understanding. The colloquium was off-the-record according to Liechtenstein Colloquium rules, and was financially supported by a grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York.
The meeting was the first in a planned series focusing on China’s relations with the wider European community. The discussion was chaired by Wolfgang Danspeckgruber, LISD Founding Director.
The colloquium sought to examine what Chinese economic, political, and cultural interests are at play in Europe and to better understand Russia-China-European triangular relations. To this end, the colloquium sought to discuss three topics. The first topic, “Chinese Relations with Europe: A Historic Perspective,” focused on how the historical relationship of European countries and China still colors interactions between the two regions. The second topic, “One Belt One Road Project”, focused specifically on the sharp increase of Chinese investment in Europe, and the economic sectors that are receiving the most investment. The third topic of discussion was “China’s Presence in Europe,” including its history of territorial reaches dating from the Yuan dynasty to present day, as well as how China’s perception of previous mental maps affects its outlook on the world today. The final topic, “The Way Forward,” featured a constructive conversation regarding the future of EU-China relations and brainstormed new ideas for future cooperation.
A summary report of the event will be published by the Institute.