China, Europe must join hands to promote reconfiguration of global order, experts say

Sharing much common ground in today's world and a common vision on multilateralism in global governance, China and Europe bear important responsibilities in the reconfiguration of a co-governance global order, scholars said during a forum held in Shanghai.

Such reconfiguration is absolutely necessary, and Europe and China must cooperate to safeguard the rule-based international order, they said at the Shanghai Forum 2026, which opened on Friday and is hosted by Fudan University, among others.

"Reconfiguration means advancing new cooperation to restore multilateralism and eliminate the law of the jungle. A rule-based international order is reasonable. The geopolitical logic of might makes right leaves small and weak countries suffering, which is unacceptable," said former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta from Spain's IE University.

The current world is in a geopolitical earthquake, with the United States administration threatening global prosperity and peace, and the ongoing regional conflicts adding to geopolitical risks and undermining global prosperity, economic growth and political stability, said Letta, who is currently dean of the School of Politics, Economics and Global Affairs at IE University.

"Both Europe and China regard the United Nations-centered multilateral system as the only solution to problems in trade, economy, new technologies and geopolitics. The two sides should jointly promote follow-up plans to strengthen the UN's role," he said.

Wu Xinbo, dean of Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, echoed Letta, saying that China and Europe share visions on a UN-centered international framework in global governance and cooperation on global challenges like climate change.

Looking ahead, this trilateral relationship among China, Europe, and the US will become more symmetric, moving away from a US-centric model toward a multipolar world, he said.

"China-Europe relations have great potential for improvement in global governance, trade, cultural, and education exchanges," said Wu, adding that both sides advocate for an open international economic system, opposing US protectionism.

Experts also said that China and Europe need each other economically, especially in recent years, when Europe has increasingly viewed China as an important source of technology and investment, and a major market.

Thomas Fingar, former assistant secretary of the US State Department's Bureau of Intelligence and Research, said that it requires substantial time and effort for other countries to take on joint governance when the US has stepped back.

Persuading nations worldwide to bear the costs, risks, and responsibilities of global leadership stands as the greatest challenge of the current era, said Fingar, who is also a fellow with the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University.

"The US remains a major and crucial factor and must be included in all integration efforts. Though the US population accounts for less than 5 percent of the world's total, it triggers around 25 percent of global economic issues," he said.

Themed "The age of reconfiguration: innovation and global governance", the three-day Shanghai Forum 2026 has gathered guests from think tanks, universities, and governments in over 50 countries and regions worldwide for discussions on AI governance, green transition and Global South development. The aim is to contribute diverse solutions to promote inclusive and sustainable global development.

The experiences and views about AI and quantum technologies exchanged at the forum, which are pivotal for the future, will guide countries and institutions to formulate development plans in relevant fields, said Letta.