Turning Tides? The Future of China–EU Relations

On Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 October, the conference “Turning Tides? – The Future of China–EU Relations” will take place in Bologna, as part of the collaboration agreement between the University of Bologna and Johns Hopkins University – SAIS Europe. The event reflects the shared commitment of the two institutions to interdisciplinary scholarship and international engagement. The sessions will be held on 27 October in the Sala VIII Centenario at the Rectorate, and on 28 October at Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe (Auditorium, Via Beniamino Andreatta 3). The opening panel on 27 October – European Leaders’ Outlook on EU–PRC Relations – will also be accessible via Zoom (registration required).

Celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the People’s Republic of China and the European Union, the conference comes at a crucial moment for international relations. When diplomatic ties were first established in 1975, China sought greater alignment with the West in the context of the Cold War. Today, amid intensifying U.S.–China competition, Europe faces new choices about how to balance economic interdependence with security and strategic autonomy.

Discussions will explore how far—and how fast—the EU should move in “de-risking” from Beijing and what those choices mean for the future of transatlantic relations. By bringing together experts in international relations, economics, and law, the conference seeks to bridge academic insight and policy debate, offering fresh perspectives for diplomats, business leaders, and students of international affairs alike.

The conference will engage a wide audience of scholars, diplomats, corporate representatives, and students, fostering dialogue across disciplines and offering firsthand perspectives from leaders who have shaped Sino-European relations over the past five decades.

The program features a distinguished lineup of high-level speakers, including Paolo Gentiloni, Romano Prodi, Sylvie Matelly, Thomas Bagger, Benoît Guidée, Stefano Sannino, and Caroline Wilson, among others.

Panels will address topics ranging from EU–China economic relations and transatlantic coordination to digital cooperation and legal frontiers in Europe–China engagement.