2022.07.29
On July 22nd, Grandview Institution and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung jointly held a conference in Beijing to present the results of the report "Chinese Youth's View of Europe". The report, funded by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and jointly implemented by Grandview Institution and Center on Data and Governance of Tsinghua University, took half a year to compile and analyze the perceptions and attitudes of young intellectuals in major Chinese cities towards the European Union, especially towards Germany, using questionnaires and interviews. In addition, we are looking for ways to strengthen the understanding and communication between Chinese and European and Sino-German youths, and then to find "youth solutions" for the development of Sino-European and Sino-German relations.
The report shows that the perceptions and attitudes of young intellectuals in major Chinese cities towards the EU countries, especially Germany, are generally positive, with a pattern of "Europe over Asia" and "Europe over the US". Young people see China-EU relations as more of a partnership and friendship, despite the competition.
The report describes Chinese Internet social media users in general show a steady and moderate emotional orientation towards Europe, while having strong "reality reaction" and "issue reaction" characteristics. These are related to the political, economic and social factors behind the users' platform choice and usage habits.
The report points paths to enhance understanding and exchange between Chinese and European and Sino-German youth. Based on the perceptions and attitudes of Chinese youth towards Europe, especially Germany, and the data analysis of Chinese Internet social media users, four "youth solutions" for the development of China-Europe and China-Germany were explored, namely "Think Tank + Youth", "Media + Youth", "Education + Youth" and "Diplomacy + Youth". "Media+Youth", "Education+Youth" and "Diplomacy+Youth".