Taking stock of Sino-Nordic relations: Patterns of collaboration, opportunities for advancement and challenges ahead

Where do relations between the Nordic countries and China currently stand? From an overall perspective, bilateral relations have progressed significantly over the past couple of decades, driven not only by shared economic interests, but also growing interdependence in a globalized world where China has risen to become a central stakeholder of international order. The Nordic countries are well known for their entrepreneurship and innovation skills with respect to green technologies and sustainable development solutions that are critical to China’s modernization objectives, while the sheer scale and purchasing power of the Chinese market give the Nordic countries strong incentives to cultivate closer bilateral relations with Beijing. At the same time, however, relations between the Nordic countries and China face several challenges, including the recurring politization of political differences and the risks of being caught in the middle of the deepening US-China great power rivalry.

This public seminar offers a range of perspectives on relations between the Nordic countries and China, exploring different avenues for advancing existing cooperation, while also identifying potential obstacles. Moreover, the seminar will explore the extent to which the Nordic countries might benefit from adopting a joint Nordic approach towards Beijing. A new report on Sino-Nordic relations, commissioned by the Nordic Council of Ministers, will provide the background for the discussion and will be made publicly available at the seminar.

The seminar is organized by the Nordic Institute of Asian Studies (NIAS) & The Fudan-European Centre for China Studies with support from the Nordic Council of Ministers

Venue and time:
Asia House, Indiakaj 16, Copenhagen, December 11, 13.00-14.30

Registration: Participation is free, but please register with Kasper Ørntoft Thor kth@nias.ku.dk

Program:

13:00-13:05: Opening words of welcome
Duncan McCargo, Director, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies

13:05-13:15: A Nordic perspective
Paula Lehtomäki, General Secretary, Nordic Council of Ministers

13:15-13:25: A Chinese perspective
Feng Tie, Ambassador, Chinese Embassy in Denmark

13:25-13:45: A Danish perspective
Mogens Lykketoft, former Danish Foreign Minister

13:45-14:00: Coffee break and cakes

14:00-14:10: Sino-Danish research collaboration
Liu Chunrong, Executive Vice Director, Fudan Center at NIAS

14:10-14:25: Presentation of report on Sino-Nordic relations
Andreas Bøje Forsby, postdoc researcher, Nordic Institute of Asian Studies