Yangtze-Rhine-Danube regional dialogue bolsters China-Europe ties

Scholars and officials from China and Europe gathered on Nov 21 for the Yangtze-Rhine-Danube Regional Dialogue, aiming to further regional cooperation and friendship between China and Europe through discussions on protecting and developing the three great rivers and their basins.

During the dialogue under the theme "Basins and Deltas: Communications and Collaborations," participants from China, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Austria, Hungary and many more countries voiced optimism that the enhanced mutual understanding and identified cooperation opportunities would contribute to a more prosperous future for the Yangtze, Rhine and Danube basins.

"The Yangtze, Rhine and Danube rivers play irreplaceable roles in biodiversity conservation, cultural heritage, economic development and maintaining ecological functions, despite their different geographical environments and cultural backgrounds," said He Qing, director of the State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research at East China Normal University. "Exchanges and cooperation among the three are vital for exploring a global model of sustainable river basin development and jointly addressing environmental challenges."

Huibert de Vriend, professor at Delft University of Technology, highlighted the similarities and differences between the mighty Yangtze and Rhine rivers.

They are both economic arteries connecting important regions in China and Northwest Europe respectively. But the Yangtze is greater than Rhine in scale and human interventions like dams, he noted, adding that these differences make collaboration mutually beneficial as "there is profit for both of us".

Hao Zhongwei, director-general of the Department of European and Asian Affairs at the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, emphasized the profound influence the three rivers have had on human civilization and cultural exchanges between China and Europe.

"As two major forces, markets and civilizations, China-Europe relations concern the well-being of both sides and global stability and prosperity," he stated, urging deeper cooperation to tackle climate change through green transformation pathways.

During keynote sessions, de Vriend, Iulian Nichersu from the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development in Romania and He discussed issues like the protection and restoration of the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta, Danube delta and Yangtze delta respectively.

Roundtable discussions focused on sustainable development in river basins and deltas, as well as mechanisms of collaboration between river basins.

Participants from governments, academia, businesses and organizations exchanged views on challenges and strategies related to socioeconomic development, basin planning, ecological conservation, shipping, and disaster prevention and mitigation.

They also explored leveraging the power of cities along the three rivers to establish partnerships in friendly cities, culture, education, tourism, science and innovation, sports and youth exchange.

"Rivers are miraculous, as civilizations have always flourished alongside them, no matter the continent," said Nagy Judit Eva, president of the Hungarian-Chinese Friendship Association. "This forum allows us to share ideas, create new networks and potentially collaborate in areas like water management, green energy, trade and cultural festivals that connect people."

Chen Jing, president of the Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, said the dialogue widely explored cooperation mechanisms in areas like cultural exchange and sustainable development along the three river basins, promoting win-win outcomes and China-Europe friendship.

The forum was hosted by East China Normal University and Shanghai People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, and guided by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries.