Programme – ECKF

PROGRAMME

Please note that the Chatham House Rule applies to the whole conference and all panels, and the programme may be subject to change.

THURSDAY, Oct 24^th

9:30-15:00 ReConnect project consortium meeting and General Assembly (for ReConnect China project members only)

14:00-15:30 Tartu city tour for speakers and registered participants. The tour starts from the front of the University of Tartu main building (at Ülikooli 18) and ends at the conference site.

15:00-17:00 Conference registration and welcome coffee

17:00-17:30 Opening Words in the White Hall

Urmas Hõbepappel (University of Tartu)
Margus Tsahkna (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Bart Dessein (Ghent University)
Gaia Airulo (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) of the European Commission)
Andres Sutt (Estonian Parliament)

17:30-18:30 Introductory panel discussion in the White Hall
EU’s de-risking approach towards China
Regarding the current status of economic, political, and scientific connections between the EU and China.

Moderator: Agnieszka Nitza-Makowska (University of Tartu / Collegium Civitas)

Bart Dessein (Ghent University)
Gaia Airulo (Directorate-General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD) of the European Commission)
Andres Sutt (Estonian Parliament)

18:30-20:00 Networking reception and a welcome address from the University of Tartu Asia Centre
in the White Hall

20:00-21:30 Night owl session in the White Hall
Looking into the future: How to ReConnect China while de-risking?
The panel discussion aims to answer in which domains EU collaboration with China is desirable, possible, or impossible and who is the recipient of such collaboration. This panel focuses on the major dimensions of reconnection — science, economy, and foreign relations — and inspects the ways of reconnection or connection in each dimension.

Moderator: Robert Weatherley (University of Cambridge / University of Tartu)

Lay Hwee Yeo (National University of Singapore)
Alar Streimann (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs / University of Tartu)
Imar Koutchoukali (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

FRIDAY, Oct 25^th

8:30-9:00 Welcome coffee in the White Hall

9:00- 10:30 Announcement of Special issue by Prof. Wei Shen (editor-in-chief Asia Europe Journal, Zhejiang University)
in The White Hall

Plenary discussion of China’s Foreign Policy in the White Hall
China as a partner? Climate Change as a Field of Collaboration and Competition between EU and China
The dynamics of climate change as a field of competition and collaboration between the European Union and China. Our expert panellists will explore the complexities of this global challenge and the opportunities for cooperation that may shape the future of sustainable development.

Moderator: Louis Wierenga (University of Tartu / Baltic Defence College)

Hanah Lahe (Estonian Parliament)
Beatrice Gallelli (Institute of International Affairs, IAI)
John Seaman (French Institute of International Relations)

10:30-11:00 Coffee break in the White Hall

11:00-12:30 Parallel Panel Discussions

Panel discussion China’s Science and Technology in the Exhibition Hall
China’s Influence on EU Research and Education Collaborations and Academic Freedom
Exploring the evolving landscape of scientific cooperation, technology transfers, and academic freedom in the context of EU-China relations.

Moderator: Gábor Szüdi (Centre for Social Innovation)

Philipp Brugner (Centre for Social Innovation)
Imar Koutchoukali (Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Outi Luova (University of Turku)

Panel discussion for Early-Career Researchers in the White Hall
How to Reconnect with China While De-Risking
Giving the early-career researchers a platform to share their insights on how the EU should re-engage with China, as well as to explore the barriers, challenges, and prospects shaping the EU’s policy approach toward China in the areas of science and technology, economy and trade, domestic governance, and foreign policy.

Moderator: Laurens Hemminga (University of Groningen)

Anne-Marie Dedene (Vrije University Brussel)
Matteo Cianforlini (University of Bologna)
Iverson Ng (Tallinn University)
Karolina Kruppa (Jagiellonian University)
Adam Pawełczyk (University of Silesia)
Sixuan Liu (University of Macerata/Copenhagen Business School)

Panel discussion China’s Domestic Policy in the Library Hall
Media, Propaganda, and Disinformation
Delving into the complex landscape of information asymmetry, including its reliability and disinformation. It will explore the pressing issues of how the EU navigates its relationship with China in light of these data limitations, examining strategies for informed decision-making, fostering transparency, and addressing the evolving information environment in the context of China-EU relations.

Moderator: Leslie Leino (Tallinn University)

Hermann Aubié (University of Turku)
Tauno Tõhk (International Centre for Defence and Security)
Runya Qiaoan (Palacky University Olomouc)

12:30- 14:00 Lunch in The White Hall

14:00-15:30 Parallel Panel Discussions

Panel discussion China’s Science and Technology in the Library Hall
EU-China Technological and Digital Dependencies and National Security
The panel combines real-world cases and scientific insights on addressing the dependency on critical technologies from China and the resulting national security concerns. Panelists will shed light on the current dependencies and explore potential strategies for how the EU should respond.

Moderator: John Seaman (French Institute of International Relations)

Francesca Maremonti (Institute of International Affairs, IAI)
Henry Rõigas (Evisec, International Centre for Defence and Security)
Xiaxue Martin (Clingendael Institute)

Panel discussion China’s Trade and Economy in the Exhibition Hall
Sustainable and Economic Considerations in EU-China Relations
Exploring the role of carbon neutrality commitments, and the potential for economic growth. The aim would be to uncover ways in which economic development can align with ecological and social goals.

Moderator: Luca Alfieri (Politecnico di Milano / University of Tartu)

Victor de Decker (Egmont Institute)
Patrik Andresson (Swedish National China Centre)
Urmas Varblane (University of Tartu)

Panel discussion China’s Domestic Policy in the White Hall
Perception and Reality: The EU in Chinese State-Orchestrated Narratives
The panel critically explores how the EU and other international entities are framed within narratives orchestrated by the Chinese state. It aims to provide an independent and rigorous analysis, unravelling the strategies, motives, and objectives behind these narratives.

Moderator: Urmas Hõbepappel (University of Tartu)

Christian Göbel (University of Vienna)
Bart Dessein (Ghent University)
Huanyu Zhao (Ghent University)

15:30-16:00 Coffee break in the White Hall

16:00-17:30 Plenary discussion on China’s Foreign Policy in the White Hall
China as Systemic Rival: Great Power Competition in China’s Global Relations
Focusing on China’s foreign policy promoting a multipolar world and seeking to shift away from American dominance. The panellists will shed some light on how such a strategy is received in regions such as the Global South and EU and, notably, on its implications for Taiwan.

Moderator: Wei Shen (editor-in-chief Asia Europe Journal, Zhejiang University)

Aurelio Insisa (Institute of International Affairs, IAI)
Lay Hwee Yeo (National University of Singapore)
Richard Turcsanyi (Palacky University Olomouc)

19:00-21:30 Conference dinner and cultural programme with Mari Kalkun, an Estonian folk singer and songwriter
in the Restaurant Ülikooli Kohvik (at Ülikooli 20)

SATURDAY, Oct 26^th

8:30-9:00 Welcome coffee in The White Hall

9:00-10:30 Parallel Panel Discussions

Panel discussion China’s Science and Technology in the Library Hall
De-risking Artificial Intelligence: Convergences and Divergences between the EU and China on Regulating AI
We will focus on how risks and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI) are understood and arbitrated in the EU and China to better understand sources of friction and areas of policy overlap and whether enhancing cooperation is possible.

Moderator: Philipp Brugner (Centre for Social Innovation)

John Seaman (French Institute of International Relations)
Gábor Szüdi (Centre for Social Innovation)
Mikael Mattlin (Finnish Institute of International Affairs)

Panel discussion China’s Trade and Economy in the Exhibition Hall
Navigating the Trade Imbalance: EU-China Relations While De-Risking
This panel explores the ongoing trade imbalance between the EU and China as the EU pursues de-risking strategies to reduce economic dependency. Panellists will discuss the challenges of balancing trade relations while safeguarding geoeconomic interests.

Moderator: Luca Alfieri (Politecnico di Milano / University of Tartu)

Ari Kokko (Copenhagen Business School)
Urmas Varblane (University of Tartu)
Françoise Nicolas (French Institute of International Affairs IFRI)

Panel discussion China’s Foreign Policy in the White Hall
Unravelling Narratives: China’s Approach to Aid in the Global South
Delving into the multifaceted narratives surrounding China’s foreign aid endeavours in the Global South. The panellists will analyse the contrasting stories, from infrastructure development to humanitarian assistance, and provide insights into how these narratives impact international perceptions of China’s global role.

Moderator: Toomas Hanso (International Centre for Defence and Security)

Raoul Bunskoek (Clingendael Institute)
Hermann Aubié (University of Turku)
Gul-i-Hina van der Zwan (Leiden University)

10:30-11:00 Coffee break in The White Hall

11:00-12:30 Concluding plenary discussion in the White Hall
EU’s De-Risking Approach Towards China: What’s Next?
Exploring the future landscape of the EU’s de-risking approach towards China, focusing on the key dimensions of economy and trade, foreign policy, and science and technology. Panelists will discuss potential scenarios for reconnecting with China while navigating the associated risks.

Moderator: Agnieszka Nitza-Makowska (University of Tartu / Collegium Civitas)

Robert Weatherley (University of Cambridge / University of Tartu)
Bart Dessein (Ghent University)
Andres Sutt (MP, Former Minister of Entrepreneurship and Information Technology at the Government of Estonia)

12:30-12:40 Concluding Remarks

Urmas Hõbepappel (University of Tartu)
Elo Süld (University of Tartu)
Bart Dessein (Ghent University)

12:40-14:00 Farewell lunch in the White Hall