On December 3, the 2nd Asia-Europe Cooperation Dialogue, co-sponsored by the Boao Forum for Asia (BFA), the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government and the European House – Ambrosetti, closed in Chongqing, China. This grand gathering brought together more than 400 participants from 21 countries and regions and three international organizations.

Chen Min’er, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the CPC Chongqing Municipal Committee, met with important guests participating in this conference. He was excited to welcome all of them to the inland city in southwest China. Around the theme of “Concerted Action for Common Development in the New Era”, which echoes the development strategy of Chongqing, this conference will provide an important opportunity for the city to engage in the intercontinental communication and cooperation between Asia and Europe. Chongqing will build on the outcomes of this event to forge a stronger partnership with the other parts of Asia and Europe, Chen believed.

BFA Chairman Ban Ki-moon, BFA Vice Chairman Zhou Xiaochuan, Esko Aho, former Prime Minister of Finland, Tang Liangzhi, Mayor of Chongqing, Li Baodong, BFA Secretary-General, and Paolo Borzatta, Senior Partner of the European House – Ambrosetti, attended the opening ceremony. There is a strong voice in their speeches for multilateralism, globalization, free trade and an open world economy, all of which are a must for a sustainable future for mankind. Asia and Europe, two continents accounting for 60% of the world’s population and over 60% of the world’s economy, have a broad consensus on reversing the trend of protectionism and unilateralism. They are expected to join hands with each other to promote more robust trade, investment and financial ties, seize the opportunities under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and enhance collaborative innovation towards the next technological revolution.

Delegates held frank and forward-looking discussions on topics of “Belt and Road Initiative and European Development Strategy”, “Prospects and Challenges of Financial Globalization” and “Internet of Things & Smart City”. In Session 1, panelists recognized the benefits of BRI and European Development Strategy to both parties and to the development and prosperity of the world. They also called for more detailed top-level design and policy communication between Asia and Europe. At this stage, the cooperation roadmap should be put in place as soon as possible.

In the discussion on financial globalization, panelists discussed that at a time when financial globalization is faced with a series of new challenges, there is a need for Asia and Europe to make their financial cooperation more sustainable and inclusive, practice green financing and development financing, and ensure the financial sector will serve the real economy ultimately. Moreover, Asia and Europe should double their efforts in communication and coordination to facilitate global financial governance reform and promote financial stability.

On Internet of Things (IoT) & Smart City, panelists particularly stressed that technology must be human-centered. We must ensure that our development is “innovative, coordinated, green, open and shared”, and we are committed to the Agenda for Sustainable Development of the United Nations. Technology should benefit people’s life, and help create a world where human can live in harmony with nature and with each other, rather than bring us discomfort or harm.

Business leaders from Asia and Europe also held a special private session on micro-level cooperation. Other exciting events included a visit to Chongqing Lijia Smart Park and Chongqing Guoyuan Port.