Initiatives like the EU International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme in China (IURC China) facilitate exchanges and joint projects in sustainable urban development and regional innovation. A recent delegation of EU cities and regions visiting Chongqing and Guangzhou exemplified the commitment to sharing best practices and addressing shared challenges, fostering innovation and sustainable development.
Pilot regions have emerged as a crucial means of deepening the industrial alignment and future collaboration between Europe and China. These regions serve as testing grounds for innovative solutions and cooperation models that can be scaled up for broader applications. The success of pilot regions not only showcases the feasibility of collaboration but also underscores its potential impact on both regions' development agendas.
To maximise the impact of pilot regions, there is a need to continually improve existing programs and sustain momentum in pushing forward cooperative efforts. By addressing challenges and refining strategies, pilot regions can serve as powerful engines for regional growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
Cities and regions have risen to prominence on the political agenda in both the EU and China. Acknowledging their pivotal roles, a delegation of EU cities and regions embarked on a visit to Chongqing and Guangzhou from September 18 to 22. This visit marked the commencement of a journey aimed at exchanging best practices and addressing shared challenges.
The delegation explored a spectrum of domains, including smart manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, creative investment and education, creative industries, and the gaming sector. These sectors represent areas of immense potential for collaboration and mutual learning. By sharing experiences and expertise, the EU and China can capitalise on each other's strengths and drive innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
As EU-China regional cooperation continues to deepen and evolve, these initiatives exemplify the commitment of both regions to harness their collective potential for a brighter and more prosperous future.
In 2006, the European Commission and China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) officially launched the EU-China Regional Policy Dialogue Mechanism. This marked a significant milestone in the bilateral relations between the European Union (EU) and China, opening the door to enhanced cooperation in various fields. Fast forward to 2015, when the EU and China signed the "Joint Statement on Comprehensively Deepening EU-China Regional Policy Cooperation," a pivotal moment that ushered in a new chapter of regional cooperation. This statement laid the foundation for profound engagement and collaboration between the two regions.
Under the guidance of this robust cooperation mechanism and the Joint Statement, the EU and China have been actively fostering regional policy dialogues, resulting in substantial achievements. These include major theoretical research, bolstering personnel capacity, and facilitating successful city cooperation cases. One essential facet of EU-China regional policy cooperation is the EU International Urban and Regional Cooperation Programme in China (IURC China). This program is a vital component of the broader EU-China policy collaboration and operates under the joint guidance of the EU's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) and the Regional Department of China's NDRC. IURC China plays a pivotal role in advancing comprehensive and practical cooperation between Europe and China in the fields of sustainable urban development and regional innovation. This initiative has led to the sharing of best practices, the exchange of expertise, and the implementation of joint projects, fostering innovation and sustainable development in both regions.
