June 14, 2018. Paris, France – The China Europe International Business School (CEIBS) and France-based Center of Prospective and Strategic Studies (CEPS) today jointly hosted a symposium that explored the timely issue of how to advance Sino-European relations. The venue was the prestigious Colbert Hall within the French National Assembly. Among the more than 200 Chinese and French scholars and entrepreneurs present were Prof. Jean-Pierre Raffarin, former Prime Minister of France and Charles de Gaulle Chair in Global Leadership at CEIBS; Jean-Michel Mis, Deputy in the French National Assembly; Ding Yuan, Vice President and Dean of CEIBS; Dr. Emmanuel Dupuy, President of the Institute for European Perspective & Security Studies (IPSE); Loïc Tribot La Spière, Director General of CEPS; and François Quentin, President of Huawei France. Representatives from CEIBS France Alumni Chapter were also in attendance. 

In his opening remarks, Prof. Raffarin said world peace has never faced as serious a threat as it does now. He noted that while American unilateralism seriously threatens world peace and the future of the euro, China – in stark contrast – is an important pillar of global stability and international cooperation at the multilateral level. China-Europe and China-France relations are faced with new opportunities, he said, however these can only be seized if mutual understanding is strengthened between both sides. Yesterday’s signing of an agreement to establish the Charles de Gaulle Chair in Global Leadership at CEIBS is an important initiative in this regard, he added. Raffarin stressed that when dealing with Chinese people, the first thing is to understand Chinese culture and love the Chinese people. Similarly, without mutual understanding and love between the Chinese and French, China-Europe and China-France relations will be unable to move forward, he added.

French National Assembly Deputy Jean-Michel Mis noted that China-France and China-Europe relations are of great importance to France. As a legislative body representing the people, the French National Assembly will be more than happy to play a role in the development of China-France and China-Europe relations, Mis added. Prof. Ding Yuan highlighted, during the symposium, how CEIBS has contributed to the development of China-Europe relations for over 20 years. In addition, Dean Ding spoke about and answered audience questions on China-France economic cooperation, Chinese M&A in France and French companies’ participation in another round of China’s economic development. IPSE President Emmanuel Dupuy said the Belt and Road Initiative has created a valuable platform for international cooperation, which deserves more attention from France’s various government ministries and companies of all sizes. Huawei France President François Quentin, noting the tremendous differences between French and Chinese corporate cultures, said that only by learning from China and abandoning prejudices can we move France-China economic cooperation to a higher level.

In summarising the symposium, CEPS Director General Loïc Tribot La Spière said the event is a continuation of cooperation that began in January this year, when the Chinese-French think tank CEPS-CEIBS Shanghai Club was launched. CEIBS is one of the world’s renowned business schools, with extensive entrepreneur resources in China, where the market is dynamic, he noted. The CEPS would like to create a new platform, through the joint CEPS-CEIBS think tank, for ideological exchange and economic cooperation between China and France, he said.