Date and time: Monday November 9th 2015, 08.30-17.00

Venue: Room JDE52, Committee of the Regions, Rue Belliard 99-101, 1040 Brussels

China and the EU are strategic partners, with intense economic, political and people-to-people relations. As we mark in 2015 the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties, China and the EU are exploring avenues to further deepen cooperation, not least in the fields of investment and connectivity, where there is strong potential to boost mutual growth.

At a bilateral Summit held in Brussels in June, China and the EU agreed to explore synergies between China's One Belt, One Road Initiative and the European Investment Plan, to set up a joint investment fund, to strengthen cooperation in the development of the digital economy and to establish a Connectivity Platform. In September, we signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the China-EU Connectivity Platform and issued a joint declaration on 5G cooperation. China also became the first non-EU country to contribute to the European Investment Plan. At the same High Level Economic Dialogue meeting, the two sides reached an important agreement on the scope of bilateral investment agreement negotiations.

Looking to build on this momentum, the Mission of China to the EU, together with the European Union Committee of the Regions, will co-host on 9 November a China-Europe Investment and Connectivity Cooperation Forum bringing together decision-makers, business representatives, and academics for an in-depth discussion on these initiatives and next steps. Panel debates will seek to explore synergies between the Belt and Road Initiative and the European Investment Plan; avenues for strengthening China-Europe connectivity, digital economy and E-commerce; and the potential for regional cooperation, including in the China-CEEC (16+1) format.

Many distinguished speakers have confirmed to participate in the Forum, including H.E. Mr. Jyrki Katainen, European Commission Vice President for Jobs, Growth, Investment and Competitiveness, H.E. Mr. Markku Markkula, President of the CoR, H.E. Madam Yang Yanyi, Ambassador of China to the EU, Ms. Wang Dan, Deputy General Manager, China's Silk Road Fund, and Dr. Wu Shicun, President of the National Institute for South China Sea Studies.

To register, please email chinaforum1109@gmail.com before 4 November, mentioning your full name, title, nationality, DOB and ID document number. Registration is subject to confirmation. No on-site registration will be possible.

For press enquiries, please contact wanglinxia55@gmail.com.

*Networking buffet will be provided at lunchtime free of charge.