Navigating Local Relations with China in Europe

Mapping the Partnerships: Survey Data on China-EU Relations at the Local and Regional Level 

European cities and regions have developed hundreds of formal partnerships with counterparts in the People's Republic of China (PRC) over the past three decades. Sister city and friendship city agreements span nearly every corner of the continent, yet relatively little systematic data exists on what these partnerships involve, how they have evolved, and what risks and opportunities they present for local governments today. 

This webinar will present comprehensive research and data to address that gap. Guest speakers from the University of Lodz (Poland) will present findings from the most comprehensive survey of China-EU relations at the local and regional level, covering the scale and breadth of partnerships across Europe, coordination gaps between local and national levels, and the structural asymmetry between PRC and European approaches to city diplomacy. GMF will contribute findings from its own research, and the session will include a discussion of how the landscape has shifted in the years since the original research was conducted. 

The session is part of the ongoing NAVLO webinar series, which convenes researchers, practitioners, and policymakers working on the strategic dimensions of PRC engagement at the local and regional level. Navigating Local Relations with China in Europe (NAVLO), is an initiative led by GMF that aims to improve awareness and understanding of PRC city and state engagement, support evidence-based risk mitigation, and strengthen coordination among local, regional, national, and European stakeholders.