China-Europe dialogue on global governance, cultural exchange held in Germany

On April 15, the China-Europe Dialogue on Global Governance and Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilizations was held in Berlin, Germany. Nearly 100 representatives from Chinese and European government departments, think tanks, universities, media, and business communities attended the event.

Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG), attended and addressed the dialogue. He noted that China and Europe, as two major markets and two major civilizations in the world, have maintained close communication and exchanges and achieved solid and practical results, injecting valuable stability and positive energy into a world fraught with turbulence and intertwined challenges.

Gao Anming, editor-in-chief of China International Communications Group (CICG), speaks at a dialogue in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Gao pointed out that China and Europe should take dialogue and cooperation as the unwavering fundamental principle, ease conflicts, rise above zero-sum games, and build global consensus by deepening exchanges and mutual learning. Amid changing dynamics of the world, the two sides should jointly improve global governance, share opportunities and expand cooperation in the course of development, and deepen mutual learning through exchanges to jointly cement the foundation for cultural cooperation, he said.

Gao emphasized that CICG has been actively hosting China-Europe exchanges in various fields in recent years, promoting the sharing of governance experience and mutual learning among civilizations. He said CICG stands ready to deepen cooperation with all sectors in Europe to ensure that the torch of peace is passed on from generation to generation through exchanges and the driving force for development remains strong.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of the Schiller Institute, delivers a speech at a dialogue in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder of the German think tank Schiller Institute, said that China's four global initiatives have provided concrete a plan for building a new world order. She also said that Europe should cooperate with China where the latter has clear advantages. These include artificial intelligence, 6G mobile communications, quantum computing, nuclear fusion, biotechnological production, humanoid robots, high-end mechanical engineering, aerospace, and chip development. She warned that without such cooperation, Europe risks missing out on future-oriented technologies and its corresponding share in the global market.

Yang Chengcheng, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, delivers a speech at a dialogue in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Yang Chengcheng, minister-counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Germany, said that as major countries with global influence, China and Germany shoulder important responsibilities for world peace and development. The two sides should uphold the central role of the United Nations, reject unilateralism and protectionism, oppose the approach of turning economic and trade relations into political or security issues, and act as champions of free trade. China and Germany should deepen collaboration within multilateral frameworks, jointly address global challenges, and advocate solidarity and coordination, she added.

Former Governing Mayor of Berlin Michael Müller delivers a speech at a dialogue in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

Michael Müller, former governing mayor of Berlin, emphasized that a strong Europe and a strong China are contributors to world stability, and their cooperation is of particular importance in a rapidly changing world. He noted that China and Germany have established more than 100 pairs of sister provinces/states/cities, and maintained close exchanges and cooperation among medical institutions and universities. He expected the two countries to further strengthen mutual learning, exchanges and cooperation in fields such as education, governance, the rule of law and science and technology through more dialogues and platforms, continuously deepening the all-round strategic partnership between the two countries.

Nearly 100 representatives from Chinese and European government departments, think tanks, universities, media and business communities attend a dialogue in Berlin, Germany, April 15, 2026. [Photo/CICG]

During thematic discussions, Chinese and European experts, scholars, and representatives from enterprises and chambers of commerce conducted in-depth exchanges centered on promoting global governance through high-level opening up and promoting common development through exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

Participants agreed that China and Europe are key partners for each other, and China's 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) has opened up new space for innovative cooperation between the two sides.

The dialogue was co-hosted by the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies under CICG and the Schiller Institute. During the event, the organizers jointly released a report on China-Europe economic and trade cooperation, which comprehensively presents the development context, foundation and future direction of China-Europe economic and trade cooperation.