EU-China Think Tank Engagement on Green Governance
Hanns Seidel Foundation hosts first EU think tank delegation for EU-China Think Tank Engagement on Green Governance
EU Think-Tankers at the EU Delegation to China premises
Participating European think tanks include the Institute for European Environmental Policy (IEEP), Clingendael China Centre, Erasmus University of Rotterdam, and Lund University. On the Chinese side, key partners were the Consulting and Research Center (CRC), Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Center (LCRC), and the Research Center for Territorial Spatial Planning (RCTSP) of the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), along with Ningbo Natural Resources and Planning Research Center and Ningbo Urban Planning and Design Institute.
The delegation visit commenced with an introductory meeting in Beijing at the EU Delegation to China, where Mr. Laurent Bardon, Head of the Green Transition Section, welcomed the group. Emphasizing the trust built over the past years between China and the EU, the meeting explored opportunities and challenges in advancing EU-China collaboration on green governance.
After meeting with the EU representatives, the European think tank delegation held in-depth discussions with Chinese partners of the EU-China Think Tank Engagement on Green Governance project, namely, the CRC, LCRC and RCTSP of MNR. The discussions focused on key topics such as progress in EU-China green policies, territorial spatial planning, ecosystem protection, and biodiversity conservation, etc. Both sides shared practical experiences and research outcomes while exploring directions for future cooperation.
Meeting and discussions with CRC, LCRC, and RCTSP of MNR
The subsequent days in Beijing featured in-depth discussions with Chinese partners at CRC, LCRC, and RCTSP, focusing on project objectives, stakeholder engagement, and future collaboration frameworks. Delegates also had exchanges at Peking University and attended the EU-China Environmental Policy Cooperation Seminar and the closing meeting of the EU-China Environment Project Phase 2, implemented by ClientEarth, GOPA and Policy Research Center for Environment and Economy (PRCEE) of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) since 2018.
Think tank collaboration planning at the Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Centre of the Ministry of Natural Recourses
Meeting and exchanges at the College of Architecture and Lanscape, Peking University
The second half of the delegation's visit took place in Shandong Province, coordinated by HSS Shandong office. Here, participants explored ecological restoration and sustainable development firsthand through site visits. Highlights include rehabilitated mining areas, rural land conservation projects, private recycling facilities, and sustainable farming initiatives. Engaging discussions between European and Chinese experts, as well as local stakeholders, centered on biodiversity, ecological restoration, and practical approaches to sustainable rural development.
The delegation visit marked a significant milestone in fostering dialogue, knowledge exchange, and cooperation on green governance between European and Chinese think tanks.
This activity is funded by the European Union.
EU delegation and partners visiting sustainable farming practices in Qingzhou, Shandong