The 16th Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit: Cooperation and Outlook in a New Era
In 2025, a landmark year marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union, the 16th Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit was successfully held from June 2nd to 7th in Madrid, Spain, and Paris, France. The summit led a delegation of over 40 Chinese entrepreneurs on a tour that included four core forum events and special visits to six representative institutions. The events centered on key topics such as global cooperation, sustainable development, new quality productive forces, the digital economy, green transition, and global supply chains, fostering in-depth discussions on new paths for China-EU cooperation. The summit was of great significance in enhancing understanding, building consensus, and promoting pragmatic cooperation against a complex global backdrop.
Four Main Forums
The core agenda of the summit consisted of three high-level forums held in Madrid and Paris, bringing together top minds for candid and in-depth exchanges on key issues of China-EU cooperation.
Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit - Spain Stop
The Sino-Europe Entrepreneurs Summit in Spain was successfully held on June 2, 2025. Co-hosted by the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF) and Spain's IESE Business School, the summit's theme was "Building the Future Together: China-Europe Industrial Upgrading and Sustainable Development." It featured in-depth dialogues on key areas including new energy, healthcare, supply chain restructuring, commercial aerospace, and artificial intelligence. The event gathered influential figures from politics, business, and academia to review the history of cooperation, look ahead to future opportunities, and offer insights for the stable and prosperous development of China-EU economic and trade relations.
In his opening remarks, Chinese Ambassador to Spain Yao Jing reviewed the half-century of China-EU relations, emphasizing the cooperative potential of the "two major forces, two great civilizations, and two large markets." He noted that despite complex global geopolitics, the common interests of China and the EU in upholding multilateralism and promoting green transition continue to expand. Ambassador Yao highlighted the achievements in China-Spain economic cooperation, including new energy projects, the opening of new aviation routes, and growth in two-way investment, calling on the business community to seize the strategic opportunity of Spain as a "gateway to EU cooperation."
Mr. Tony DONG, Chief Representative of the SIEF, delivered a speech on behalf of the federation and its founder, Mr. Long Yongtu, congratulating the opening of the 16th summit and welcoming the Chinese entrepreneurs. He introduced the mission of the SIEF and its achievements over the past 17 years, stressing that in the current era, China and Europe should seek common ground while reserving differences, complement each other's strengths, and jointly address challenges. He pointed out that the essence of business is to discover differences, integrate resources, and meet demands, and he expressed hope that Chinese entrepreneurs would find cooperation opportunities and enjoy the summit and their time in Spain.
During the summit, Mr. Paning Wong, Chairman of the Paning Centennial Foundation, donated traditional Chinese woodcut art to the University of Navarra, symbolizing the cultural ties between the two nations. Additionally, Professor Pedro Nueno, founding dean of CEIBS, shared his experience in building business schools across three continents, emphasizing the profound significance of educational cooperation in promoting peace and economic development.
Healthcare and the Silver Economy: Guo Meiling, Chairman of Beijing Century Galaxy Technology Group, noted that China's rapidly aging population could learn from Spain's experience in health services and elderly care. Meanwhile, Chinese AI medical technology could be introduced to the European market, creating a two-way empowerment.
New Energy Transition: Wang Jingnan, Chairman of Yantai Longjoin Wind Power Development, pointed out that China's advantages in large-scale wind power equipment and cost control could complement Spain's grid management technology to jointly explore markets in Latin America and Africa. The roundtable also discussed the application of AI in optimizing wind farm operations and the challenges of cross-border data compliance.
Supply Chain Restructuring: Charles Sun, Founder and Chairman of Shanghai MOD Technology, stated that Chinese and Spanish companies could deepen cooperation in green and intelligent manufacturing. By combining China's advantages in prefabricated construction technology and market scale with Spain's expertise in low-carbon materials, carbon tracking technology, and robotics, they could jointly increase production efficiency by 50% and reduce raw material waste to below 3%. Leveraging the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the Spanish-speaking world, they could also jointly develop the Latin American market, cooperate on projects in smart cities, renewable energy (over 80% of Spain's energy is clean), and cross-border e-commerce hubs, while collaboratively addressing digital regulatory challenges for mutual benefit. Chang Zhengyong, Chairman of commercial aerospace company JT Space, emphasized the vast potential for China-EU cooperation in satellite manufacturing and data applications. Through technology sharing, they could reduce the cost of commercial aerospace and serve the global market.
Several Spanish guests noted that China and Europe have complementary advantages in AI. China is strong in application scenarios (e.g., medical diagnostics, wind power maintenance), while Europe excels in fundamental research and rule-making. With its green energy and cost-effective talent, Spain could serve as a hub for cooperation to jointly develop the Latin American market. It is necessary to resolve differences in data sovereignty and ethics. The speakers suggested deepening cooperation in healthcare and new energy through joint R&D centers and AI accelerators, while also establishing a carbon data tracking system to comply with new EU regulations.
Miguel Sebastián, former Spanish Minister of Industry and Tourism, called for synergy between the "Belt and Road" Initiative and the EU's "Global Gateway" strategy. He stressed that China-Spain and China-EU cooperation should be deepened in three major areas: green transition (e.g., wind power, electric vehicles), the digital economy (AI, semiconductors), and supply chain security. He highlighted China's advantages in new energy technology and market size and Europe's expertise in green hydrogen and data regulations. He suggested aligning the "Belt and Road" with the "Global Gateway" to jointly develop markets in Africa and Latin America and called for a coordinated response to unilateral tariff wars to build a more resilient multilateral economic and trade system.
Renowned economist Ren Zeping analyzed the dilemma of globalization from an economic perspective, placing current issues within the context of a century-long economic cycle. He called for China and Europe to transcend geopolitical games and build "win-win rules" in new fields like artificial intelligence and the green economy.
In her closing remarks, Zoe ZHANG, Secretary-General of the SIEF, concluded, "Today's dialogue has sown the seeds for the next fifty years of China-EU cooperation. We look forward to seeing these connections transform into tangible projects that promote common prosperity." Participants unanimously agreed that in the face of anti-globalization trends, Chinese and European enterprises must enhance supply chain resilience through pragmatic cooperation, injecting certainty into global sustainable development.
South Summit
On June 4, 2025, the delegation attended the opening ceremony and main forum of the South Summit, a leading global event for innovation and entrepreneurship. This year's summit, themed "In Motion," emphasized change, progress, and a global perspective, attracting over 20,000 participants from 134 countries, including about 500 speakers, 120 investment funds, and over 50 unicorn companies. During the summit, the delegation also participated in the "China-Europe Enterprise Exchange Meeting," co-hosted by the SIEF and the South Summit. This event focused on precise matchmaking, aiming to build a bridge between Chinese industrial capital seeking global expansion and cutting-edge European tech companies, with a focus on investment and cooperation opportunities in AI, the digital economy, and sustainable technologies.
His Majesty the King Felipe VI of Spain delivered an important speech, pointing out that Spain is transforming into a European hub for entrepreneurship and innovation, committed to promoting innovation, supporting high-growth companies, and creating a competitive and fair economic environment.
Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph shared the story of Netflix's creation, showing attendees how a simple idea can evolve into a business empire that disrupts a global industry.
Former Nike Chief Marketing Officer Greg Hoffman drew on his extensive experience to elaborate on the power of brand narrative, noting that emotional resonance is key to driving market engagement and consumption.
At the Sino-European Enterprise Exchange Meeting, world-renowned economist Professor Jin Keyu delivered a keynote speech titled "What Have We Learned from the Trade War?" Using detailed data comparisons, her speech analyzed the changing patterns of global trade and provided strategic advice for Chinese enterprises on expanding into international markets in fields such as artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and new energy.
"Business Across the World, Wisdom Gathers in China-Europe" Dialogue on Overseas Chinese Businesspeople Empowering Sino-French Corporate Cooperation
On June 5, 2025, the dialogue "Business Across the World, Wisdom Gathers in China-Europe" was successfully held in Paris. Co-hosted by the SIEF and the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France, the event aimed to explore how Chinese and French enterprises can achieve mutual benefits by leveraging the strength of overseas Chinese businesspeople, further deepening China-EU cooperation. Dignitaries including Chen Dong, Minister of the Chinese Embassy in France; former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin; Tony DONG, Chief Representative of the SIEF; Xu Bo, President of the "Friends of Wu Jianmin" Association in France; and Li Yunting, President of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France, attended the event.
In his address, Raffarin spoke of the current international situation, noting that the world is undergoing transformation and challenges, and countries need cooperation more than ever, not confrontation. He called for France and China to strengthen cooperation to achieve win-win outcomes in this context.
Tony DONG, Chief Representative of the SIEF, pointed out in his speech that holding the event in France was a true reflection of the continuous expansion of international cooperation by Chinese and French enterprises and overseas Chinese businesspeople. He urged Chinese companies to seize the major trends in industries like artificial intelligence and the digital economy and to actively explore the depth and breadth of cooperation with Europe.
Xu Bo, President of the "Friends of Wu Jianmin" Association in France, elaborated on the importance of strengthening Sino-French and China-EU cooperation.
Li Yunting, President of the President of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France, stated that overseas Chinese businesspeople are well-versed in local market rules and understand Chinese corporate culture, providing unique value for Chinese companies "going global." He discussed their important role in three aspects: first, innovating internationalization paths; second, acting as cultural "decoders"; and third, creating a business ecosystem of "dual empowerment." He added that the President of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France will continue to tap into the potential of overseas Chinese businesspeople to contribute wisdom and strength to promoting private economic cooperation between France and China.
The dialogue session invited several representatives of Chinese and French entrepreneurs to engage in in-depth discussions on "How Chinese-French and China-EU Enterprises Can Achieve Win-Win Cooperation." Panelists included Liu Ruojin, founder of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France and Chairman of the European Association of Chinese Entrepreneurs; Lu Xiaofeng, Honorary President of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France; Wang Xianhai, General Manager of the Export-Import Bank of China, Paris Branch; Zhao Ruiqiang, Executive Vice President of the Association des commerçants Wenzhou en France; and Chen Renping, Chairman of Zhejiang Mingtai Holding Development Co., Ltd.
The guests unanimously agreed that the current period presents an important window of opportunity for Chinese and French enterprises to deepen cooperation and expand their markets. They should seize the opportunities brought by global industrial chain restructuring and digital transformation. Overseas Chinese businesspeople should continue to leverage their role as bridges to help Sino-French projects land accurately and achieve long-term success.
Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit - France Stop
The Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit in France was successfully held on June 6, 2025. Co-hosted by the SIEF and HEC Paris, this summit focused on more concrete industrial levels, exploring future development strategies for enterprises against the backdrop of the dual digital and green transitions. The forum aimed to provide clear paths for Chinese and European companies, especially those in manufacturing, consumer goods, and technology, to address challenges and seize opportunities.
The opening ceremony was moderated by Tony DONG, Chief Representative of the SIEF. He welcomed the guests and expressed sincere thanks to HEC Paris for its strong support. Tony DONG noted that the summit has become an important bridge for promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation. HEC Paris, as a world-leading academic institution, provided invaluable academic resources and intellectual support for the summit.
Former French Prime Minister and Chairman of the Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit, Jean-Pierre Raffarin, delivered an enthusiastic welcome speech. He highly praised the significance of the summit, stating that cooperation between European and Chinese enterprises is particularly crucial amid the many uncertainties in the global economy. "Europe and China should respect each other's cultures and economic development models and jointly tackle challenges through innovative forms of cooperation," Raffarin emphasized. He also noted that economic and trade cooperation between Europe and China not only contributes to the mutual development of their enterprises but also to the stability and prosperity of the global economy.
Professor Andrea Masini, Dean of Faculty and Research at HEC Paris, stated in her address that business schools, as important places for knowledge creation and dissemination, have a responsibility to provide intellectual support for Europe-China economic and trade cooperation. He introduced HEC Paris's rich experience and unique advantages in cultivating international business talent, promoting interdisciplinary research, and fostering corporate innovation, and looked forward to broader and deeper cooperation with Chinese educational institutions and enterprises in the future.
Professor Xiang Bing, Founding Dean of Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), shared his profound insights on global economic development in his keynote speech. He stated that China and the United States have contributed significantly to global economic growth over the past two decades, but their development models differ. Xiang believes that China's development model is mainly based on economic iteration, while the US is driven by innovation. He also introduced the global impact of Chinese business models and shared his experience in creating a global ecosystem of new-generation unicorns, emphasizing the great potential for cooperation between China and Europe in innovation and economic iteration.
Henri Proglio, former Chairman and CEO of the Fortune 500 company Électricité de France (EDF), expressed high expectations for Chinese companies in his speech. He pointed out that European and Chinese enterprises have broad cooperation space in areas such as energy transition, digital technology, and intelligent manufacturing. Proglio stressed that establishing an international trust mechanism is key to Europe-China cooperation. The two sides should promote a new generation of cooperation by building strategic, executive, and cultural trust. He also shared his practical experience in promoting cooperation between European and Chinese companies, calling for more enterprises to participate and jointly explore new paths for sustainable development.
Pascal Dassault, Executive Vice President of Havas Group, emphasized at the summit that the cultural industry and innovation are important areas for Sino-French cooperation. He introduced Havas Group's experience in cultural innovation projects, such as the Louvre Pyramid, international media platforms, and brand collaborations. He called for strengthening cooperation in cultural creativity, digital technology, and sustainable development to enhance mutual understanding and advance Sino-French cooperation to new heights. Following the speech, Panning Wong, Chairman of the Paning Centennial Foundation, donated traditional Chinese woodcut art to HEC Paris, symbolizing the cultural ties between the two nations.
In the subsequent dialogue sessions, several representatives from Chinese and European enterprises engaged in in-depth exchanges on topics such as "Sino-French Industrial Upgrading," "Gastronomic Transformation and Food Innovation," and "Sustainable Urban Transformation." The participants unanimously agreed that both China and Europe have unique advantages and rich experience in their respective fields. By strengthening cooperation, they can not only achieve mutual benefits but also provide new ideas and solutions for global economic development and social progress.
Visits to Six Institutions
In addition to the main forums, the delegation conducted special visits and inspections of several representative institutions in Spain and France to gain a deeper understanding of Europe's innovation environment, industrial advantages, policy frameworks, and cultural heritage.
HUB Tres Cantos
On the morning of June 3, the delegation visited Tres Cantos in the Community of Madrid. As Spain's fastest-growing city in 2024, Tres Cantos is known for its young and highly qualified population. With a clear strategic positioning, the city has become the headquarters for many high-tech European and American companies, such as Netflix's European headquarters, three Airbus campuses, and the well-known chemical company Nivea. 
By visiting the city's core innovation platform, HUB Tres Cantos, and engaging in in-depth dialogue with Mayor Jesús Moreno García, Economic Development Councilor Ana Isabel Pérez Baos, and Chief of Staff Jesús López Jordán, the delegation learned how the city uses unique innovation incentive policies to attract and serve top global companies, successfully creating a world-class industrial cluster.
Denodo
On the afternoon of June 3, the delegation split into groups to visit Denodo, a global leader in data management. As a leader in the field of logical data management, Denodo's technology helps enterprises integrate complex internal and external data sources. 
During the exchange, the delegates learned how its data virtualization platform provides a unified, real-time data foundation for key business applications like artificial intelligence and self-service business analytics, thereby accelerating digital transformation. 
After the meeting, Denodo presented a gift to the SIEF.
Francisco de Vitoria University
On the afternoon of June 3, another group from the delegation visited Francisco de Vitoria University. 
During the visit, the delegation met with Mr. Victor, Director of the Bachelor's Degree in International Relations, toured the campus, and held a special seminar with two professors from the Faculty of Economics on the topic of Sino-Spanish economic, technological, and educational cooperation.
Spanish Senate
On the afternoon of June 4, the SIEF led a delegation to the Spanish Senate for the second time. In a meeting with the Secretary-General of the Senate, Marimar Blanco, the delegation learned that as the upper house of the Spanish Parliament, the Senate plays a key role in national legislation, constitutional oversight, and coordinating regional interests. This meeting provided the delegation with a deep understanding of Spain's political system, legislative process, and the specific functions of the Senate.
Station F
On the afternoon of June 5, the delegation visited Station F, the world's largest startup campus, founded by telecom giant Free's founder, Xavier Niel. This innovation complex, converted from a historic railway station, can accommodate over a thousand startups simultaneously. It not only gathers entrepreneurial talent from around the world but also attracts more than 30 top international accelerators like Meta and Microsoft's AI Factory, as well as renowned venture capital firms like Sequoia Capital. Through the visit, the delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of how Station F aggregates global entrepreneurial talent, top international accelerators, and venture capital to build a vibrant innovation ecosystem.
SCOR
On the afternoon of June 6, the delegation visited the headquarters of SCOR, a leading global reinsurance company. SCOR is one of the world's top reinsurance companies, with business in over 160 countries. SCOR Group Chairman Fabrice Brégier, Head of Life & Health and CEO of the Beijing Branch Chloe Wang, Global Head of Property & Casualty François Houssais, and CEO of Investments Louis Bourrousse attended the meeting. The two sides had in-depth exchanges on the two core sectors of life & health and property & casualty insurance, and discussed professional insights and cooperation plans for global risk management, providing valuable lessons for the global operations of Chinese enterprises.
Summit Summary
This summit was not just a series of high-level dialogues and institutional visits; it provided a valuable opportunity for participants to deeply observe and compare the development models of China and Europe in a time of great change.
Attendees generally felt that European society demonstrates the profound heritage of a mature, developed economy in terms of civilization, rule of law, and social security, with a high public happiness index. However, its economy also faces challenges such as relatively insufficient innovation vitality, slowing social mobility, and industrial competitiveness issues due to high costs.
In contrast, the global competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing, the iterative vitality of technological innovation, and efficient social governance capabilities left a deep impression on the attendees, highlighting the strong resilience and potential of the Chinese economy. Facing the common challenge of rising global trade protectionism, attendees believe that as champions of free trade, China and Europe have far more room for cooperation than for disagreement.
This trip to Europe further clarified the common interests of China and the EU in maintaining the multilateral system and promoting the green and digital transitions. In the future, by deepening cooperation and combining Europe's mature markets and advanced technologies with China's industrial scale and innovation vitality, the two sides are expected to move forward hand in hand amid once-in-a-century changes, jointly promoting the stability and prosperity of the global economy.
Media Coverage
The summit received extensive attention from numerous well-known media outlets, including Oushinet, Sohu, iFeng, and Xinhua News Agency, with a cumulative communication reach of over 2 million.
