Building bridges in times of global challenges
Sino-German exchange on governance, security and cooperation
The programme focused on discussions with experts from politics, science and business. Key issues of the international order, German-Chinese relations and security and economic policy challenges were discussed.
The different perspectives were already evident at the start in Berlin: during the exchange at the Science Centre Berlin with Prof. Matthew Stephens (Helmut Schmidt University Hamburg) and Prof. Wu Zhicheng (head of the delegation), questions of global governance, multilateral institutions and power shifts were discussed controversially but constructively. There was a consensus that the international order is in need of reform - what this reform should look like, however, remained controversial.
exchange at the Science Centre Berlin
Discussions with foreign policy experts from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs and with Alexander Radwan, CSU, Member of the German Bundestag, also reflected the tensions in which Europe, China and the USA are currently operating. Topics such as the war in Ukraine, the role of China and Europe in the Middle East conflict and the relationship between economic cooperation and political systemic competition were openly addressed. It became clear that trust, clarity and a willingness to engage in dialogue are crucial for the future of joint relations.
Visit to the German Bundestag
The move to Munich brought new accents: With a view to domestic political developments, such as the federal election or the party structure in Germany, it became clear how differently political processes take place in both countries - and how important mutual classification and contextualisation are. Discussions with members of parliament, business representatives and the Academy for Political Education in Tutzing focussed on strategic partnerships, economic resilience and security policy issues.
Learn about domestic political developments at the Hanns Seidel Foundation
The personal encounters were particularly valuable: here it became clear that beyond political tensions, human contact and cultural understanding can be a stable basis for cooperation despite differences in content.
The programme was accompanied by visits to central places of remembrance of German history - such as the Berlin Wall and the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. These historical contrasts gave the political exchange an additional depth of focus and helped to better understand the German perspective on peace, responsibility and democracy.
group photo at the Chamber of Industry and Commerce for Munich and Upper Bavaria
The week made it clear that despite all the differences, dialogue is not only possible, but necessary. Only through open discussions, critical enquiry and respectful encounters can bridges be built - for a future that is not characterised by mistrust, but by mutual understanding.
