Documentation Brochure - Hamburg Summit

Outlook by Conference Chairman Nikolaus W. Schües
Nikolaus W. Schües, Conference Chairman, Hamburg Chamber of Commerce
The Hamburg Summit: China meets
Europe wants to build bridges of
understanding and deepen business
relationships. Over the last two decades
the relations between EU and China
have gradually developed into a mature
strategic partnership. During this
period, both the European Union and
China have made significant progress in
diverse economic fields.
From the entrepreneurial point of
view – and we are talking business! -
this partnership should be based on free
trade and open markets, on fair transfer
of technology and know-how as well as
on cooperation in scientific and academic
research. This form of cooperation
meets China’s current strategic needs,
and it is also good for the European
Union that is constantly looking for
new markets and partners. The Sino-
European partnership is already a reality
- an economic and political success.
Our Hamburg Summit is an outstanding
opportunity to reflect on what has been
accomplished and what still remains to
be done. During the second summary
approximately 450 decision makers
from ten countries discussed the political
and economic issues with some
major results.
First of all China´s further integration
into global politics and the global
economy is inevitable, the economic
interdependence is a reality. The People´s
Republic is on its way to becoming a
global player, no one can deny China´s
growing influence. The European Union
should view the People´s Republic as a
strategic partner and give impulses in
order to forge a beneficial relationship
of equals.
China – second – is definitely a must
for most European companies. For some
firms facing growing competition from
China it is a question of survival to
arrange partnerships with Chinese
companies. The process of opening up,
which is a direct result of China´s accession
to the WTO holds new opportunities
in store. They should not be missed.
And finally the European Union
should support the Chinese government
in its endeavors to further reform the
economy, to enhance environmental
protection and establish a stable society.
The European Union has a lot of experiences
to share with China, for example
in creating a sustainable social welfare
system and successfully coping with
problems of social disparities. It is
exactly the aim of the “Hamburg
Summit” to offer a forum to exchange
ideas and experiences. Dialog is the
bridge to peace and sustainability.