This call for proposals is covered by the Annual Action Plan in favour of the Asia Pacific region for 2023 Part 1 of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), under its Annex II – Action Document for Public Diplomacy – EU/China think-tank engagement. It aligns with the overall approach on public diplomacy accentuated in the Regional Multi-annual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2021-2027 for Asia and the Pacific. The MIP outlines increasing mutual understanding between the EU and its partner countries and engagement with civil society, in particular academia and think tanks, as crucial to enhance understanding of EU policies, to build trust, and to foster networks, alliances and partnerships with key target audiences and partners.
The global objective of this call for proposals is: to improve EU-China bilateral relations, promote mutual understanding and advance the EU’s policy priorities in China, by means of nurturing trust and establishing networks, alliances and partnerships with target audiences and key stakeholders at the level of non governmental actors, think-tanks and academia in the EU and China
The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:
- Reinforce EU’s long-term engagement with influential European and Chinese think tanks and academic institutions on topics of relevance for the EU and the EU China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
- Enhance the knowledge, understanding and perception regarding the EU among specialised audiences in China in the field of international relations.
Enhancing mutual understanding, building trust and creating networks of partnerships on issues of importance to the EU and the EU China Strategic Partnership require continuous investment. The proposed action will thus provide continuity to past and ongoing efforts on EU public diplomacy in China, ensuring the consistency and durability of the intellectual partnerships and networks already established.
The priorities of this call for proposals are:
- Structured exchanges, intellectual debates, honest and meaningful dialogues and systemic collaboration involving both European and Chinese think tanks are established and maintained.
- A platform for regular engagement and continued interaction of EU policy makers with European and Chinese think tanks is promoted.
- Understanding of Chinese target audiences about EU’s positions on shared global concerns and challenges is improved and perception gaps on global and regional issues are identified and documented
In particular relevant for LOT 1:
4. Expert views and qualified opinions on issues of key importance for the current and the future of EUChina relations, on EU and Chinese policies, as well as global development issues are provided.
In particular relevant for LOT 2:
5. Exchanges on European and Chinese policy developments on green and blue governance, without excluding other international developments, and joint thinking on solutions to problems of our planet have been enhanced.