Delegation of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) Visits Global Neighbours in Vienna

On March 5, 2025, a delegation from the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS) visited the Global Neighbours headquarters in Vienna. The delegation included Dr. Ju Weiwei, Director of the Department of Central and Eastern European Studies, Dr. Kong Yuan, Vice-Director of the Department of European History Studies, and Dr. Zhang Chao, Associate Professor, all from the Institute of European Studies at CASS. The meeting was also attended by Dr. Walter Feichtinger, President of the Center for Strategic Analysis (CSA), and Prof. Dr. Rüdiger Frank, a member of the Global Neighbours Advisory Board and Professor at the Department of East Asian Studies at the University of Vienna. The event was hosted by Global Neighbours Managing Director Oliver Radtke, Project Manager Joseph Kirchberger, and Event Manager Akos Matern.

The discussions focused on the ongoing war in Ukraine, with participants sharing insights and analyses on its geopolitical and security implications. The conversation also covered the European Union’s future trajectory and pathways for international cooperation in addressing shared global challenges. Participants emphasized building trust between the EU and China as a foundation for constructive dialogue and long-term cooperation. The role of policy measures, including China’s ongoing visa-free policy for many EU countries and discussions on a joint approach to reducing tariffs, was also highlighted to strengthen engagement between the EU and China. Given the increasingly unpredictable global landscape, discussions acknowledged the difficulty of anticipating future developments, particularly regarding the direction of U.S. policy and its implications for Europe and China. The discussion also touched on the role of personal relationships between state leaders in shaping diplomatic engagements and strengthening mutual understanding. The meeting provided an opportunity to assess challenges and opportunities in EU–China relations. It underscored the importance of maintaining open channels for dialogue in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.