Talent exchanges can help improve relations between Beijing, Brussels

Chinese President Xi Jinping, European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are scheduled to attend the China-European Union Summit in Beijing on Thursday, marking 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Beijing and Brussels at a time when Sino-EU ties face uncertainties.

Geopolitical distrust on industrial subsidies, cybersecurity and the Russia-Ukraine conflict dominate official dialogue, while people-to-people exchanges are far from normal. In such a situation, the talks in Beijing are likely to focus on trade disputes and tariffs (particularly on Chinese-made electric vehicles), climate change, biodiversity, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and ways to bolster multilateral cooperation.

The implementation of a "talent mobility action plan" could improve Sino-EU relations, especially because the issuance of new work permits on both sides has not yet returned to pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels, depriving companies, and research and educational institutions of the flow of talents. Re-establishing and increasing this flow is a secure and cost-effective way to stabilize Sino-EU relations and tackle some of the economic challenges domestically.