FudanUniversityDelegationVisitsGlobalNeighbours

On 25 August 2026, Global Neighbours was delighted to welcome a delegation of leading scholars from Fudan University to our office in Vienna for an in-depth exchange on China-Europe relations, the evolving international order, and the importance of sustained dialogue in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.

The delegation brought together Prof. Dr. Jian Junbo, Director of the Center for China-Europe Relations; Prof. Dr. Yan Shaohua, Deputy Director of the Center for China-Europe Relations; Prof. Dr. Xin Qiang, Deputy Director of the Center for American Studies; and Prof. Dr. Song Guoyou, Deputy Director of the Center for American Studies, representing some of Fudan University’s key expertise on Europe, the United States and major geopolitical questions.

Opening the discussion, our CEO Siddharth Chatterjee reflected on Global Neighbours’ growing engagement with partners in China and on the role think tanks and universities can play when official relations become more difficult. He highlighted the value of Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomacy in creating space for dialogue, testing ideas and building trust beyond formal diplomatic channels.

The Fudan delegation introduced the work of its university-based international relations think tank and its research across China-Europe relations, China-US relations and wider global affairs. Alongside academic research and teaching, its scholars also contribute to policy discussions on international issues.

Over the course of the exchange, participants discussed some of the most consequential questions shaping China-Europe relations today: the future of trade and economic ties, Europe’s pursuit of greater strategic autonomy, and the extent to which a more multipolar world could create new room for manoeuvre for middle and smaller powers. Further discussion touched on differing perceptions of China’s role in the global order, European views of Russia, and relations between China and Central and Eastern Europe. Throughout the exchange, participants emphasised the value of evidence-based analysis and open dialogue in addressing areas where perspectives can differ significantly.

The meeting concluded with reflections on how think tanks and academic institutions can help bridge gaps in understanding at a time when international relations are increasingly shaped by competing narratives and strategic uncertainty.

For Global Neighbours, conversations of this kind are central to building a more nuanced understanding of China-Europe relations. In a period defined by sharper geopolitical competition, creating space for informed, direct and constructive exchange is becoming more important.

The exchange reaffirmed the shared conviction that navigating an increasingly complex and multipolar world requires open dialogue, deeper mutual understanding, and sustained engagement across regions. Global Neighbours looks forward to continuing its exchanges with Fudan University and other partners in support of more constructive, informed, and forward-looking relations between China and Europe.