About China Forum
The Confucius Institute organizes a comprehensive, high-level and multi-thematic "China Forum" in Graz every two years. In particular, the high-level forums under the "Belt & Road" initiative, the 3rd China Forum in 2016 and the 4th China Forum in 2018, have gained high attention in China and Europe in all fields, and their results have been published in three languages - Chinese, German and English respectively. A scientific advisory board consisting of experts and professors from China and Austria was established for the "China Forums". Today, this China Forum series has already become the most influential and high-profile Sino-Europe Forum in Austria. On November 6, 2020, as part of the "Belt & Road" initiative, the 5th China Forum with the theme "Europe-China: Connectivity & Prosperity" was held for the first time as an online event and was thus accessible to all interested parties worldwide.
In 2023, the 6th Forum under the title "Europe meets China" was dedicated to the areas of: Green Energy, Circular Economy and Digital Culture - with the aim of providing far-reaching and innovative clues for a sustainable world and connecting ideas from China and Europe.
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Richard Sturn, Head of the Institute of Finance and Public Economics and the Graz Schumpeter Centre at the University of Graz
- Em.o.Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Heinz D. Kurz, Professor emeritus of Economics at the University of Graz, Sino-Austrian Schumpeter Centre at the University of Graz
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Stefan Storr, Dean of the Faculty of Law at the University of Graz
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Joseph Marko, Professor of Public Law and Political Science at the University of Graz and Director Center for Advanced Studies in Chinese-European Legal Governance and Politics
- Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Inform. Dr.sc.ETH Kay Römer, Head of the Institute and Professor at the Institute for Computer Engineering at the Graz University of Technology
- Em.Univ.-Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Lothar Fickert, Head of the Institute for Electrical Systems at the Graz University of Technology
- Univ.- Prof. Dr. Xiaohong Yan, Rector of Jiangsu University
- Prof. Li Zhongxin, Head of the International Department of Jiangsu University
- Dr. Xiaohong Liu, Rector of Shanghai University of Political Science and Law
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Yinxing Hong, Head of the Sino-Austrian Schumpeter Innovation Centre at Nanjing University
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Tongliang An, Professor of Economics and Chang-Jiang Scholar at Nanjing University
- Univ. Prof. Dr. Wen Wang, Executive Dean of Chongyang Institute of Financial Studies, Renmin
- University Univ. Prof. Dr. Liyi Shi, general director of Science Park and executive director of NanoScience and Technology Research Center, Shanghai University.
Under advancing globalization processes and the development of China, Asia and Europe are moving ever closer together. In the course of liberalization and globalization as well as the opening of China in the last decades, worldwide competition has increased. In order to be able to hold one's own against the competition from the Far East, it is necessary to take an in-depth look at Chinese culture and society. At the same time, we have been increasingly confronted with new crises and tasks in recent years, which we will only be able to meet strongly in the future if we work together. A global solution is needed to overcome challenges or to adapt to them in a way that is fit for the future. This requires a better understanding of the differences between nations and a strengthening of the commonalities. At the same time, there are also areas of development in the future that offer opportunities for both sides. This requires regular and in-depth exchange in order to learn from each other and to move forward together into the future - as open-minded and equal partners. To this end, the China Forum relies on the tried and tested instrument of dialogue to create tolerance, acceptance and a corresponding basis for building trust.
Since its foundation in 2010, the Confucius Institute has acted as a hub for projects and meetings between China and Europe or Austria. This is also where the goals of the China Forum, which has been in existence since 2011, tie in, bringing relevant topics from the fields of science, research, business and culture equally before the curtain and discussing current positions and innovations. After all, the transfer of experience improves conditions for growth, understanding and prosperity and ensures long-term stability.
The core objective is to promote the understanding of people and foreign cultures in a spirit of tolerance, humanity and international friendship. In doing so, scientific impulses are set that allow for an unbiased reflection of lived practice in an international comparison. The Forum invites speakers who, like Europe, see China as a constant challenge and opportunity. In this way, positions will be presented that will reinforce opinions about the other, but will also surprise.
The China Forum has made it its goal not only to stimulate the exchange between East and West, but to give it a stage in order to sustainably strengthen trust in each other and to create a basis for future challenges. Solidarity, cooperation, innovation and tolerance are the guiding principles for the vision, organization and content of the Forum.
In the workshops associated with the China Forum, the guiding principles of working together and learning from each other are put into practice. Through this win-win situation, the Forum offers the speakers the opportunity to communicate their innovations and the other participants to gain progressive and new ideas for themselves, but also to contribute their own perspectives. By offering workshops, the Forum develops a place for constructive and interactive exchange. In addition, the Forum is always developing new approaches, providing a regular place for exchange, understanding and growth.