To mark the 600th anniversary of KU Leuven and celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the EU and China, the Belgian-Chinese Chamber of Commerce (BCECC) organized an insightful event on June 5, 2025, at KU Leuven’s East Asian Library, to facilitate fruitful discussions on academic exchange, industrial policy, and innovation across borders.
After opening remarks by Mr. Bernard Dewit, Chairman of the BCECC, and Mr. Jan Spooren, the Governor of the Province of Flemish Brabant, a series of distinguished speakers followed to share their insights on the future of EU-China industrial relations in their respective fields.
Ms. Dorien Emmers, Assistant Professor at KU Leuven’s Chinese Studies Group and Department of Economics, shed light on how current and future industrial policies impact both regions, exploring key strategic developments. Mr. Yves Verschueren, representing Essenscia, the Belgian federation of the chemical industry and life sciences sector, gave an overview of current industrial trends and highlighted ongoing and potential collaborations with Chinese counterparts. And last but not least, Mr. Pascal Coppens, author and renowned keynote speaker, delivered a compelling presentation on China’s tech evolution and the role of technology in China’s economic transformation, using Huawei as a powerful example to show how Chinese companies have risen from the world factory to a leading force on the global stage.
Following these presentations, the participants descended to the magnificent hall in the KU Leuven’s main library for a convivial networking drink, further continuing their cross-cultural dialogue and forging new connections.
Please find in the gallery below some pictures of our event. To consult the speakers’ presentations, please click here.
