60th Anniversary of European Union Celebration in Shanghai

Published on March 31, 2017

SHANGHAI - On March 25, the 6 founding state members, including Belgium, France, Germany, Holland, Italy, and Luxembourg as well as Jiaotong University and EUCCC co-organized and celebrated the 60th Anniversary of European Union - the Treaties of Rome.

As the vice chairman of EUCCC Shanghai board of director, I was invited to moderate this event. Professor Huang Zhen - vice President of Jiaotong University, Consul general of Italy in Shanghai - Mr. Stefano Beltrame, and Consul General of Germany in Shanghai - Mr. Peter Rothen delivered their speeches. The debate was interesting as to share different thoughts from Consul General of Belgium in Shanghai - Mr. Paul Lambert to Prof. Zhang Junhua, Prof. David Gosset, and Prof. Ivan Cardillo. I felt really inspired by the messages shared by the speakers all in favor of a stronger value to the European Union, where we have learned the meaning of peace after a long historical reform.

The Treaties of Rome, 60 years ago, wrote a new order for all of us. They established a common market with people, goods, services and capitals that can move freely: in this way they created the conditions for prosperity and stability. They brought together 6 countries (Italy, Belgium, Germany, France, Luxembourg and the Netherlands) to work towards integration and economic growth.

60 years after, I’m very proud to be a European citizen, and share common values like peaceful cooperation, respect for human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality and solidarity among people and nations. Despite Britain votes to exit, I still uphold firm belief that our union has the real strength to sustain unity and together all we are stronger.

The European Union is now a political and economic union of 27 member states, still aiming to grow a ensuring monetary union and common policies, and also aims to develop a mutual relationship with China. That’s why as a member of the EUCCC Shanghai board of director, I will continue to encourage dialogues between EU and China, as well as promote round-table meetings to discuss issues and changes.

Indeed, I hope all of us will gather around to celebrate the 100 year anniversary of EU!

March 28, 2017