Organised by UM’s Department of Government and Public Administration, the event aimed to address the issue of the European Union’s relations with the Asia Pacific, with a specific focus on the new trends of power shift and global challenges.

During the event, a book launch was held for The European Union in the Asia Pacific: Rethinking Europe’s Strategies and Policies, which was published by the Manchester University Press in February this year. Prof Song Weiqing, the main editor of the book and Jean Monnet Chair in European Politics at UM, led a discussion on the book revolving around its background, rationale, and structure.

The book launch was followed by a keynote speech by Prof Michael Reiterer, the current ambassador of the European Union (EU) to the Republic of Korea. Titled ‘The European Union and the Asia Pacific in the Future of Liberal International Order’, the speech led to a detailed discussion on the prospects of the EU’s foreign policy, with reference to the Asia Pacific, by a group of invited scholars of international relations and European studies from Macao and its neighbouring regions. There was active interaction between the participants and members of the audience.

Participants in the roundtable discussion say that the event helped facilitate the exchange of scholarly views and deepened their understanding of the relationship between the EU and the Asia Pacific. This is important both academically and policy-wise. The event has paved the way for further policy exchange and academic cooperation in the future.

Participants in the event included Prof Rui Martins, vice rector (global affairs) of UM, and Ambassador Carmen Cano, head of the European Union Office to Hong Kong and Macau. It was held with assistance from the Institute of European Studies of Macau and co-funded by the European Union’s Erasmus + Programme.