EU Delegation organises a Model EU-China Summit for Tsinghua University students

On 28 October, a Model EU-China Summit was held at the Delegation of the European Union to China in Beijing. 30 students from Tsinghua University took part in the Summit and its mock press conference, taking on the roles of political leaders, diplomats and journalists from both the EU and China. Model EU-China Summit aims to raise awareness about EU-China relations.

The students were welcomed by Ambassador Chapuis who shared his insights about EU-China relations and the workings of political communication. He introduced the different elements of High-level Dialogues which constitute to basis for progress made on the highest level – the EU-China Summits. Ambassador Chapuis noted that the best negotiators are able to open doors that were previously closed. Two sides can come to a compromise, he stressed, only when both are willing to make a compromise.

During the simulation, the students discussed subjects ranging from bilateral relations to trade to environmental issues. Following the meeting, the students took part in a mock-press conference where other students, acting as journalists, sought answers related to the model summit but also broader relations. The ‘journalists’ raised questions about current hot topics, including EU integration, EU-China political and economic relations, human rights as well as people-to-people exchanges. The media organisations and press agencies represented included, from China, the Xinhua News Agency, CCTV/CGTN, China Daily, Global Times, and from Europe, Reuters, AFP, DPA, BBC and Politico.

At the end of the press conference, Ms. Maria Linder, Head of Political, Press and Information Section gave feedback to the students and shared her personal experience from negotiations and previous EU-China Summits.