Ambassador Roundtable

On August 23, Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), together with the Academy of Contemporary China and the World Studies (ACCWS) and the Beijing Service Bureau for Diplomatic Missions, jointly launched a series of Ambassador Roundtables in the Xianhe Hall at the Beijing International Club. The first roundtable focused on climate change and China-Europe cooperation. Mr. XIE Zhenhua, China’s Special Envoy on Climate Change, was invited to explain and respond to issues of concern to European countries. The roundtable, moderated by Mme. FU Ying, Chair of CISS and former Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, convened Mr. YU Tao, Deputy Director of the China Foreign Languages Publishing Administration (CFLPA), Dr. YU Yunquan, President of ACCWS, and 24 envoys and senior diplomats from 19 European countries and the Delegation of the European Union to China to discuss ways to address the challenges of climate change as well as the prospects and mechanisms for China-Europe cooperation in this regard.

Moderated by Mme Fu Ying, Chair of CISS

In a Q&A session, Special Envoy Xie Zhenhua explained China’s position on climate change and identified the common interests of China, the US and Europe in this field. He responded to Europe’s expectations of China on climate change and the prospects for China-Europe cooperation, and presented a detail picture of China’s solution to climate change.

Keynote speech by Special Envoy Xie Zhenhua

At present, climate change is a central concern with the greatest convergence between China and Europe, Mme. Fu Ying noted. There has been a fair amount of consensus, and both sides advocate a multilateral framework to address the challenge, highlighting the importance of strengthening dialogue and cooperation in this field.

In his closing remarks, Mr. Yu Tao pointed out that CFLPA will continue to support ACCWS to serve as a think tank and an institutionalized platform for experts and envoys to exchange candid opinions, share insights, and enhance mutual understanding.

Remarks by Mr. Yu Tao, Deputy Director of CFLPA

The envoys and senior diplomats expressed their belief that the pragmatic and frank exchanges would facilitate greater understanding and cooperation between China and Europe, and looked forward to more dialogues of this kind in the future.

Speech by H.E. Tim Harrington, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to China

Address by H.E. Alenka Suhadolnik, Ambassador of Slovenia to China