China owns numerous knowledge-based and skilled talents, while Europe has a large number of innovative and entrepreneurial talents.

The complementary advantages of China and Europe are obvious, said Wang Shihting, former Chinese ambassador to Switzerland and Party secretary of China Foreign Affairs University. The potential for cooperation is still huge, he told China Today in this exclusive interview.

China Today: Where do you see China-Europe talent exchange and cooperation going?

Wang Shihting: Talent exchange and cooperation is a major component of China-Europe relations. It is invaluable for enhancing mutual understanding and friendship, and promoting scientific and technological innovation and economic cooperation. The current momentum is good, with the two sides extensively cooperating in education, scientific research, culture and other fields. Student exchanges, scholar visits, and joint research projects are increasing, with deeper and broader talent exchanges.

In the future, China and Europe should promote talent cooperation in a more open manner, and focus more on high quality to ensure the exchanges are effective and sustainable. They should improve their talent exchange mechanisms, and provide more exchange opportunities and platforms to leverage their complementary advantages and cooperate in more fields and at a deeper level.  

China Today: What are the key areas and forms for greater talent exchange and cooperation between China and the EU? 

Wang Shihting: There is wide cooperation space in the field of scientific and technological innovation and research, especially in cutting-edge technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, new energy and biotechnology. China and Europe should jointly promote research and development projects and share research results to enhance their positions in the global science and technology arena.

Education and training are the cornerstone of talent exchange and cooperation. Student and teacher exchanges and visits should be deepened, and the two sides should strengthen communication on education policies and aligning education standards. In this way, the quality of education will improve, providing high-quality resources for the talent pools of both.

Environmental protection and sustainable development are global issues. China and Europe should tackle these problems together by working on environmental protection projects, sharing environmental protection technology and experience, and jointly setting rules and standards for green industries. It is necessary to explore and promote a new model of China-Europe cooperation between their enterprises, universities and research institutions, jointly promote global environmental governance, and achieve green and sustainable development.

In the field of medicine and healthcare, China and Europe should strengthen exchanges of medical personnel, do medical research projects together, and improve medical standards. They should jointly explore new paths for medical and health system reform to contribute to the cause of global public health.

In terms of cooperation models, China and Europe should regularly organize activities such as talent exchange visits and cultural exchanges. More and more Chinese and European universities have carried out exchange among faculty members in advantageous disciplines or set up cooperative education and research institutions to cultivate high-quality international talents. International education cooperation projects are key to improving the education quality for transnational talents.

Building international scientific research cooperation platforms is also a critical way to share the results of scientific research and improve its level. In addition, the talent flow can be stimulated by strengthening economic and trade cooperation and convening regular cooperation and exchange events in key industries to tap the potential of science and technology talents.

China Today: What specific talent exchanges and cooperation impressed you most when you were the ambassador to Switzerland? What were the results of such cooperation? 

Wang Shihting: During my tenure, I promoted in-depth cooperation between China and Switzerland in education, scientific research, culture and other fields. China and Switzerland have established extensive cooperative relations among higher education institutions and scientific research institutions, carried out joint research projects, and conducted exchange visits between students and scholars.

These activities not only promote the exchange of knowledge and technology, but also enhance mutual understanding and friendship. Swiss and Chinese enterprises also cooperate in science and technology, medicine and environmental protection, which has promoted the innovation (capabilities) and development of both countries in these fields.

Education is the foundation of talent exchange. Through education, talents with an international perspective and cross-cultural communication skills can be cultivated. The result is not limited to improving hi-tech innovation capacity and solving technical problems. It can play a leading role in promoting the development of the economy, society and other fields. Therefore, talent training and exchanges are critical to comprehensive development of China-Europe relations.

To further promote talent exchanges and cooperation, both sides should deepen strategic communication, clarify their priorities, and improve their cooperation mechanisms. They should provide more opportunities and platforms for exchanges, jointly address global challenges, and promote greater development of their relations.

China Today: Sci-tech innovation is becoming a new highlight in China-Europe cooperation but some in Europe are wary of China’s scientific progress. We are also seeing trade protectionism rising. What do you think of this phenomenon?

Wang Shihting: Some of the prejudices about China’s scientific and technological progress and the rise of trade protectionism in Europe owe much to the rhetoric of some anti-China politicians and the biased reports of some media, leading to a misunderstanding of China's scientific and technological progress and concerns about fair competition. Some European countries and companies are concerned that China's progress may pose a threat to their competitiveness in the global market. Therefore, they have adopted restrictive measures and even protectionist policies on China's technology products and services, which undoubtedly poses a challenge to China-Europe cooperation in science, technology and innovation.

Facing this challenge, China and Europe should deepen dialogue and exchanges, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and dispel misunderstandings and concerns. China follows the principles of an open and fair market, protects intellectual property rights, respects international rules, and provides a level playing field for European companies. China has also strengthened sci-tech cooperation with Europe, and shared scientific research results, which has enhanced the science and technology competitiveness of both sides.

China and Europe should jointly promote two-way opening-up and investment, strengthen collaborative innovation and development of advantageous industries, and jointly oppose trade protectionism. They should unitedly safeguard the stability and fairness of the global trading system, and promote the recovery and development of the global economy. China-Europe scientific and technological innovation cooperation is mutually beneficial, and the two should work together to address challenges, share opportunities, and promote global scientific and technological progress and economic development with an open and inclusive attitude.

China-Europe cooperation in scientific and technological innovation not only provides huge development opportunities, but also serves as a major driving force for global technological development and economic recovery. In-depth cooperation in frontier technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence, biotechnology and new energy can promote scientific and technological exchanges and innovation between the two sides, and provide new impetus for global scientific and technological development and economic recovery. This is an opportunity for the common development of both sides and is also an important force to promote global scientific and technological progress.