Most people are conscious of existing cultural differences between China and Europe. In the meantime, relations between both sides are becoming more and more important and diverse. This closed conference centers on the cultural dimension of soft power in China-Europe relations. It assumes that further rapprochement between China and Europe is fundamental to support policy agendas on global issues in international economics and in the field of security. About forty cultural relations experts and practitioners from China, Europe and the United States aim to deepen our understanding of Europe-China exchanges; to explain, share and understand each other’s world views and ways of thought. The meeting will compare Chinese and European approaches in cultural relations and public diplomacy, and the roles played by various levels government, non-state actors and civil society. Changing patterns of governance and public participation can be observed in Europe as well as China, and this conference will reflect on their importance in the context of cultural relations.

The conference will conclude with a public lecture by Zhang Weiwei, distinguished Professor at Fudan University in Shanghai, whose recent book The China Wave has sold over one million copies worldwide. This event is co-organized by the Clingendael Institute, the Charhar Institute (China), the Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations and the Robert Bosch Foundation (Germany).