Global Neighbours at the Caixin London Atlantic Dialogue 2025
On May 8, 2025, Caixin Media, supported by Global Neighbours, hosted the first London Atlantic Dialogue at One Canada Square. The one-day event, titled “From the Pacific to the Atlantic: Navigating Unknowns with a Compass,” united over 200 senior representatives from government, business, and academia to discuss evolving China-Europe-US relationships amid strategic, economic, and security challenges.
Participants included Global Neighbours Chairwoman Jovanka Porsche, Global Neighbours Secretary-General Dr. Philipp Rösler, Hu Shuli, Publisher of Caixin Media, Caroline Wilson, British Ambassador to China, Sherard Cowper-Coles, HSBC Senior Adviser, Fang Xinghai, former Vice Chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission, Howard Dawber, Deputy Mayor of London for Business and Growth, and senior representatives from Schroders, the China-Britain Business Council, and other leading industry figures.
Dr. Philipp Rösler, Global Neighbours Secretary General, participated in the opening panel “Expecting the Unexpected: How We Navigate an Unfamiliar World.” The discussion covered how Europe adapts to a rapidly changing environment shaped by geopolitical tensions, technological competition, and shifting alliances. It addressed Europe’s role between the US and China, calls for strategic autonomy, and China’s technological rise. Dr. Rösler emphasized the importance of strengthening Europe’s independence while maintaining a cooperative mindset. The panel highlighted the pressures on the UK and the EU and identified opportunities for pragmatism in global engagement.
Subsequent panels discussed financial cooperation, cross-border investment, China–Europe green cooperation, Europe’s economic renewal amid strategic autonomy, and culture, education, and tourism as forms of soft power. They reflected on the challenges of global affairs, ranging from sustainable growth and technological competitiveness to open societies and trust. The final discussion between Prof. Kerry Brown, Kings College London, and Ronnie Chan, Honorary Chair of Hang Lung Group, focused on the intensifying US–China rivalry and how third parties can assert their agency amidst great-power competition.
Observers at the event noted the particularly thorough preparation and deep knowledge demonstrated by the UK diplomatic corps. The breadth and depth of their engagement across a wide spectrum of complex issues exemplified a standard of excellence which, on occasion, accentuated the disparity in expertise between the UK delegation and certain diplomatic counterparts from other nations.
Global Neighbours remains committed to supporting this kind of open, strategic exchange. The Caixin London Atlantic Dialogue confirmed the importance of investing in high-quality dialogue formats that acknowledge complexity, welcome differences, and build the foundations for sustainable international cooperation.
Images: Caixin Global