On October 18, Gao Jian, director of the Centre for British Studies at Shanghai International Studies University and a China Forum expert, spoke at the seminar titled “Global battle of offers – from the Chinese Belt and Road initiative to the EU Global Gateway: the vision of European organized civil society” organized by the European Economic and Social Committee.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is committed to the principle of “win-win cooperation,” and adopts a “systemic, three-dimensional” cooperation approach to enhance connectivity, said Professor Gao. In addition, its international cooperation platform aims to promote green, clean and high-standard self-development, celebrating openness, integrity, reciprocity and common growth.

Globalization is an invincible force against the waves of cold war mentality, decoupling narratives and politicization of social affairs, said Gao. He added that the Global Gateway strategy should not be seen as the EU’s approach to countering BRI; rather, we need to work on the integration and connectivity of the strategic development of China and the EU.