News
Chinese diplomats go Europe
November 13, 2009. From 26 until 30 October a delegation of 11 Chinese diplomats followed a training course on the European Union at the Clingendael Institute. One of the main topics discussed during the week, not surprisingly, was the Lisbon Treaty; the diplomats were updated on upcoming institutional changes such as increased powers for the European Parliament and the appointment of a permanent President of the European Council.
The delegation received first-hand information on these and other issues during a two-day visit to Brussels, where they met with several representatives from the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Permanent Representations to the EU of both China and the Netherlands.
Besides the Lisbon Treaty also other issues in EU-China relations were touched upon. In Brussels the delegation had an encounter with President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Mr MarioSepi, on his visit to Tibet last September. Also a visit was paid to NATO, where NATO-China relations stood central. Other lively discussions during the week were on China-EU cooperation in areas of human rights, maritime security, climate change and development aid in Africa.
The Chinese delegation furthermore made working visits to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and employers organization VNO-NCW, where they met with representatives of the Dutch Centre for Trade Promotion (NCH), Dutch industry as well as the Ministry of Economic Affairs. On the final day of their programme, the delegation presented the results of an assignment on future China-EU cooperation to an expert panel. Besides this quite demanding programme, there was time for cultural activities with visits to the Mauritshuis, Zaanse Schans and a boat tour in the Amsterdam canals.
Organizing a training course for Chinese diplomats for the fifth year, the Clingendael Institute looks back on another successful training programme.
The Chinese delegation meeting President Mario Sepi and his staff at the EESC
The Chinese delegation with the Chinese Ambassadeur to the Netherlands, representatives of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Clingendael staff.