The 2020 Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit Qingdao Forum opened on Sept 19.

Organized by the Qingdao municipal government and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation, the forum was focused on the new opportunities and new economy under the Belt and Road Initiative in the post-pandemic era.

The two-day event comprised several forums and negotiation activities, with overseas sub-venues set in London, Spain, Madrid, Ireland, Dublin and Milan.

The 2020 Sino-European Entrepreneurs Summit Qingdao Forum opens on Sept 19. [Photo/guanhai.com.cn]

Renowned entrepreneurs, experts and scholars from the political, industrial, investment and academic circles of more than 20 countries took part in the event through online channels and shared their insights about global economic development trends and new opportunities for cooperation between Chinese and European entrepreneurs.

In his speech, Long Yongtu, co-chairman of the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation, said that the global economic situation has been grim, difficult, complex and full of uncertainties since the beginning of this year because of the anti-globalization trend and the COVID-19 pandemic.

"In light of this situation, we need to turn the political commitment between China and the EU into concrete actions and feasible plans and projects, and work hard to link the severed international trade and investment links, the disrupted global industrial and supply chain networks, and national and international multilateral institutional relations so as to bolster China-EU cooperation,” said Long.

Former French Prime Minister Jean-Pierre Raffarin said in his address that the current international situation is complex, and that COVID-19 has made the future of the world even more uncertain.

He added that advancing international cooperation is the only way to deal with the current situation, and that a single nation cannot succeed alone.

"Sino-EU cooperation enjoys a solid foundation, broad common interests and broad prospects for development. I hope that the two sides will deepen practical cooperation under the BRI, promote international trade, two-way investment and building smart cities, and improve the dialogue and discussion mechanism so as to achieve mutual benefit and win-win results through cooperation and development," he said.

Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao [Photo/guanhai.com.cn]

Wang Qingxian, Party secretary of Qingdao, said that his city will play the role of a regional pivot in its new-round of opening-up to deepen economic, trade and cultural exchange and cooperation with European countries.