China-EU Trade Ties: Academics discuss Chinese dev't and impact on European businesses

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Europe

02:59

Chinese and Spanish academics and researchers have met in Spain's Valencia, where the spotlight is on the new challenges for China and the European Union in politics and economics. It's the third such forum organized by Spain's Asia House and China's Academy of Social Sciences. Al Goodman reports from Valencia.

They're not entrepreneurs, or business owners. They're researchers and academics from across China. Meeting with their Spanish counterparts in Valencia. For the third annual European forum on the Chinese development model.

But what they discuss here could well have an impact on Chinese and European business, says a key organizer of the event.

DAVID NAVARRO DIRECTOR, SPAIN'S ASIA HOUSE "Today we are not deciding business operations or investment activities. But obviously, the fact that our academics and Chinese academics can discuss and can think together about the current situation will always have a bigger impact in the rest of the fields of the mutual relation."

Inside the conference room, a day dedicated to discussing research on Chinese and European business affairs -- past, present and future.

YUAN HONGYING VICE PRESIDENT, SHANDONG ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES "By the end of 2016, there were more than 2,700 Chinese businesses in Europe, employing more than 133,000 Europeans. And in the past two or three years, China and many European countries have signed trade agreements."

The meeting is being held in the oldest part of the University of Valencia. Professors have offered classes and seminars here for 500 years.

AL GOODMAN VALENCIA, SPAIN "This conference comes on the 45thanniversary of the start of diplomatic relations between China and Spain and on the 40thanniversary of China's important push for economic reforms."

DENG CHUNGONG PRESIDENT, ACADEMY OF MARXISM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF CHINA "Building an international community will benefit all citizens, Chinese and foreigner. And we can further those relations in culture, the economy and politics, among many nations of the world."

Several speakers here said a lasting benefit of these meetings is to help to dispel stereotypes in China and in Europe, about each other. This senior leader of China's Academy of Social Sciences said his delegation came ready to do some explaining.

DENG CHUNGONG PRESIDENT, ACADEMY OF MARXISM ACADEMY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES OF CHINA "This meeting is to let the Spanish people learn more about China's economy, to let them know China better, politically and economically. To show the real China to Europe. To improve our relationship and friendship."

It's an event where the main business for the academics seems to be opening doors, so later the real business leaders might be able to do better deals. Al Goodman, CGTN, Valencia, Spain.