Peking University, Mar 12, 2025: In what has become a successful and enlightening cultural exchange activity, Romano Prodi, former Italian Prime Minister and President of the European Commission, paid Peking University a visit in February and delivered a series of riveting lectures, as part of the school’s Global Fellowship Lecture Series, touching on topics ranging from Italian industrial policies to cultural aspects in China and Europe.
Romano Prodi giving lecture in the School of International Relations
Illuminating these topics by drawing on his decades-long experience of navigating European politics, Mr. Prodi shed light on main issues concerning Europe’s slow economic growth and industrial policies. According to him, America’s domination of global financial market has been hampering Europe’s economic growth by drawing billions of Euros into its stock exchanges every year, which can only be countered with a stronger multipolar international order. On the other hand, he enthusiastically praised China’s fast-growing EV industry, admitting that he was “surprised by Chinese cars” and describing it as a golden opportunity for cooperation to stimulate European productivity, contrary to the protective attitude currently dominating Europe.
Romano Prodi giving lecture in the School of Economics
“Many might view China’s EVs as competitors in Europe. Yet, I would take a more optimistic attitude towards it. I see this as an opportunity for further collaboration in this industry and I welcome Chinese cars to enter the European market.”
On the cultural front, Mr. Prodi repeatedly stressed on the division doctrines and ideologies can create, advocating avoiding these mindsets in cultural exchanges. “We should try to have less doctrine. Because dogmatism can breed a sense of superiority, and subsequently break all foundations for collaborations. Be open for dialogue, be open for difference.”
Romano Prodi answering questions from PKU Professor
To promote exchanges between China and Italy, he pointed out surprising cultural similarities between the two countries, including the fact that both countries have myriad dialects and also rich cuisine. Ever the optimist, Mr. Prodi expressed his strong belief that China-Italy relation has a bright future since there is “tremendous untapped potential” in the current bilateral relationship. There is a number of ways to further strengthen the relationship, according to Mr. Prodi, which include cultural and academic exchanges, philanthropic campaign, joint think tanks, etc.
Romano Prodi giving advice to a PKU student in a post-event interview
Besides giving lectures, Mr. Prodi was also entitled the inaugural chairholder of The Agnelli Chair of Italian Culture by Gong Qihuang, President of Peking University. Established in November 2024, this initiative is hosted and managed by the China-Europe Philanthropy Innovation Research Center (CEPIRC) at Peking University, with an aim to provide students and faculty at China’s premier university with a deeper understanding of Italian culture in all its facets.
The Agnelli Chair of Italian Culture MOU signing ceremony
Written by: Zhang Yang, Chen Shizhuo
Edited by: Zhang Jiang
