Workshop to emphasize the most recent developments in bilateral relations

The main purpose of the Workshop on Contemporary Relations between China and Central and Eastern Europe, organized by the European Union Academic Program – Macao (EUAP-M) was to “emphasize the most recent developments in bilateral relations between China and the Central and Eastern Europe countries (CEECs),” according to Song Weiqing, associate professor of the Department of Government and Public Administration of the UM.
The scholar stated also that the debate was around several topics with the focus being the “competition for power arising in that part of Europe.” It also drew attention to how China as a “newcomer” is trying to balance and grow its influence in countries that five or six centuries ago were under its circle of power and influence, and are now being influenced by “several other global powers.”
Weiqing recalled that it is “very important” that this workshop is done here in Macau as part of the EUAP-M’s efforts to raise the knowledge about the EU locally in Macau, the place “where East meets West,” said Song.
During the opening speech the vice-­rector for Research, Rui Martins, had highlighted the relevance of the program that will run from 2012 to 2017 at UM which is a joint initiative between UM and the Institute of European Studies of Macau (IEEM) with a budget of EURO1.3 million (approx MOP11.8 million), and is 50 percent co-funded by the EU.