From April 30 to May 3, 2025, Professor Yan Xuetong, Honorary Dean of the Institute of International Relations at Tsinghua University, conducted a series of academic engagements in Brussels, Belgium, and Vienna, Austria, upon invitation. 

During his stay in Brussels, Professor Yan met with Herman Van Rompuy, the first President of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, to exchange views on the World Peace Forum, China-Europe relations, and the future of Europe.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Herman Van Rompuy, former Prime Minister of Belgium.)

Professor Yan also visited the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union, where he held talks with Ambassador Cai Run, Head of Mission and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the EU. Professor Yan noted that Donald Trump’s re-election as U.S. President presents a strategic opportunity for improving China-EU relations. Ambassador Cai emphasized the vast potential for Sino-European cooperation and expressed optimism about deepening collaboration across multiple fields.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Ambassador Cai Run, Chinese Ambassador to the EU.)

Additionally, Professor Yan participated in a public dialogue hosted by Jamil Anderlini, Europe Editor of Politico, where they discussed Europe’s role in the global order, the Trump administration’s tariff policies toward Europe, and the trajectory of deglobalization.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Jamil Anderlini, Europe Editor of Politico.)

In Vienna, Professor Yan engaged in discussions with Ivan Vejvoda, Director of the Europe’s Futures Program at the Institute for Human Sciences (IWM), and Niccolò Milanese, a scholar at the Berggruen Institute Europe, on topics including global leadership, China-EU technological cooperation in the digital age, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The event also drew participation from prominent diplomatic figures, including William Eacho, former U.S. Ambassador to Austria.

(Pictured: Prof. Yan Xuetong with Ivan Vejvoda and Niccolò Milanese.)

Ai Banglin, Director of Communications at Tsinghua University’s Institute of International Relations, accompanied the delegation throughout the visit.