2025 SEE Qingdao Forum
From November 19 to 20, the 2025 SEE Qingdao Forum, co-hosted by the Qingdao Municipal People’s Government and the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation (SIEF), was held at the Qingdao Haitian Hotel. Under the theme "Smart Synergy, Quality Transformation," the forum coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the EU and the 22nd anniversary of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Once again, it successfully built an international high-level bridge connecting global political and business leaders to drive cross-regional cooperation.
The forum’s scale was unprecedented, attracting over 300 high-level guests, including corporate representatives from more than ten major economies such as Germany, France, the UK, the US, Italy, Australia, Morocco, Singapore, and Thailand. Attendees included ministry leaders, representatives of international organizations, and executives from over 50 foreign-invested enterprises, including 20 Fortune Global 500 companies.
Elite Discourse: Forward-Looking Strategic Consensus in Keynote Speeches
Strategic Vision and High-Level Opening
Long Yongtu, Co-Chairman of SIEF, set a grand strategic tone in his opening remarks. He noted that while the international landscape is complex, the trend of global cooperation is irreversible. He outlined four core characteristics of China’s high-level opening-up:
A shift from the flow of goods to institutional opening-up based on rules.
Expansion into new digital economy frontiers like AI and cross-border e-commerce.
A commitment to mutual benefit and unilateral opening-up gestures.
Coordinated development between state-owned, private, and foreign enterprises.
Industrial Upgrading and "New Quality Productive Forces"
Su Bo, former Vice Minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, highlighted that China’s manufacturing added value in 2023 was equivalent to the sum of the world's five largest developed manufacturing powers. He emphasized that China and Europe are highly compatible in green transformation and digital economy strategies, urging cooperation over "decoupling" to stabilize the global economy.
Redefining the China-Europe Ecosystem
Yao Jian, former Deputy Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in the Macao SAR, proposed a framework to reshape cooperation via three "ties":
Digital Ties: Joint R&D in Industrial 4.0 and mutual standard recognition.
Blue Ties: Leveraging Qingdao’s maritime expertise for low-carbon ocean technology.
Green Ties: Transferring technologies like carbon capture and zero-carbon industrial parks.
Deep-Sea Exploration and High-Quality Marine Economy
Wang Xinwei, Vice General Manager of China Three Gorges Corporation, advocated for deepening marine economic cooperation. He proposed integrating the "four chains"—industry, innovation, capital, and talent—to explore the deep sea and develop integrated marine industries.
Technological Empowerment and Sustainable Manufacturing
Ming Wong (Cisco Global VP): Discussed "AI-empowered Secure Globalization," emphasizing the need for zero-trust security architectures and robust AI infrastructure for Chinese enterprises expanding overseas.
Leng Yan (Mercedes-Benz China Executive VP): Shared localization strategies for NEVs and intelligent driving, noting that multinational firms must continue investing in China’s scale and supply chain advantages.
Chen Jiehui (GPC Group GM): Analyzed the challenges of aging populations and chronic diseases, highlighting how AI and synthetic biology can help traditional pharmaceutical firms transition from exporting products to "exporting the entire industrial chain."
Intellectual Essence: Three Core Insights Guiding the Future
AI Implementation as "Systems Engineering": AI value is not achieved through isolated breakthroughs but through a complex system that balances technical strengths with supply chain gaps. The forum highlighted humanoid robots and remote operation as a "new multilateral resource network" that will redefine global labor allocation.
Institutional High-Level Opening-Up: The focus has shifted to high-quality institutional arrangements that ensure the resilience of global supply chains.
Green and Digital: The "Second Growth Curve": China and Europe should align rules on data security and carbon standards to create a shared, secure digital and green ecosystem.
Pragmatic Platforms: Parallel Sessions for Precise Matching
"China-Foreign Enterprise Face-to-Face" Closed-Door Session: Focused on the internationalization of Qingdao enterprises, addressing data security, compliance, and supply chain resilience. It served as an efficient matchmaking platform for projects and capital.
"CSR and ESG Innovation Practice" Session: SIEF, alongside several State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commissions (SASACs), released an initiative for local state-owned enterprises to fulfill social responsibilities at higher standards in the new era.
Conclusion: Gathering Global Elite to Drive Business Value
The success of this forum reinforces SIEF’s unique ability to empower the global elite. We provide more than just a feast of ideas; we offer a strategic high ground for policy-makers and business leaders to forge pragmatic partnerships.
The event was moderated by Zoe Zhang, Secretary-General of the Sino-International Entrepreneurs Federation.
The 2025 forum has concluded, but the vision of "Smart Connectivity across Eurasia" continues. We cordially invite all partners to join us again in Qingdao in 2026 for the next chapter of our global business journey!
