The 18th Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair (Europe-China Fair) will be held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, on 20 and 21 November 2025. On the eve of the opening, the EU SME Centre is inviting European SMEs to a business-policy exchange with policymakers, in partnership with the China Chamber of International Commerce, and the Chengdu Municipal Government. The Fair will also feature industry-themed sessions, B2B matchmaking, government-enterprise dialogues, as well as visits to industry parks.
Activities
- 19 November: Business-Policy Exchange
- 20–21 November Europe-China Fair
- How to Take Part
- See the Full Agenda
About the Business-Policy Exchange
The year 2025 marks the final year of China’s 14th Five-Year Plan and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. These milestones and shared achievements offer a moment to reflect on ongoing challenges and lay the foundation for the next chapter of cooperation.
The business environment for European companies in China is changing rapidly. According to the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China’s Business Confidence Survey 2025, a record 73 per cent of surveyed companies reported that doing business in China has become more difficult. Only 38 per cent of respondents reported revenue growth in 2024, the lowest figure on record.
Despite these challenges, the EU remains a major source of foreign direct investment in China. In 2024, China and the EU were each other’s second-largest trading partners, with bilateral trade making up over one-third of global trade volume. It is therefore crucial to maintain effective channels of communication between stakeholders on both sides and to strengthen collaboration in addressing mutual challenges.
Like in the EU, SMEs in China constitute the vast majority of businesses and play a vital role in economic growth. They contribute around 50 per cent of China’s tax revenue and 60 per cent of GDP. They are key contributors to employment and innovation.
SMEs are more exposed and vulnerable than large enterprises to operational challenges and policy shifts. According to the EU SME Centre’s 2025/2026 Information Gathering Survey, European SMEs often face greater challenges in areas such as intellectual property protection and talent acquisition. They also deal more acutely with issues such as late payments and limited access to domestic bank loans. However, some issues may be easier to address at the SME level, especially those linked to operations or policy awareness.
Against this backdrop, the EU SME Centre invites European SMEs to a business-policy exchange meeting with policymakers at the 18th Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair in Chengdu. The meeting, to be held in partnership with the China Chamber of International Commerce, and the Chengdu Municipal Government, will promote constructive exchange, share outlooks, and explore new opportunities for collaboration between European and Chinese stakeholders.
About the Europe-China Fair
The 18th Europe-China Business and Technology Cooperation Fair (Europe-China Fair) will be held in Chengdu on 20 and 21 November 2025. Jointly hosted by the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) and the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC), the event will feature industry-themed sessions, B2B matchmaking, government-enterprise dialogues, as well as visits to industry parks.
Since its first edition in China 2022, the Fair has grown to become the largest China-Europe bilateral cooperation gathering held in China. The 2025 edition will feature five industry-themed parallel sessions on green energy and environmental protection, biomedical and healthcare, digital technology and cultural & creative industries, agriculture & food, and emerging high-tech industries. The Fair will also provide professional matchmaking services.
How to Take Part
If you wish to participate in the business-policy exchange and/or in the B2B matchmaking session and other activities at the 2025 Europe-China Fair, please fill in the Expression of Interest form here. You can also send us your questions by email.
Please note that the participation in the business-policy exchange between SMEs and policymakers is limited to 20 SME representatives. We invite you to register as early as possible.
Agenda
Wednesday 19 November – China Standard Time (CST)
17:00 – 18:00
Business-Policy Exchange
- Opening remarks
- Presentation of the business environment in Chengdu and Sichuan Province
- Experience sharing by European SMEs
- Closing remarks
Thursday 20 November – China Standard Time (CST)
09:00–10:00
Opening Ceremony
10:00–12:00
Plenary Session
14:00–17:00
Parallel Session 1 – China-EU Green Energy and Environment Protection Industry Exchange
14:00–17:00
Parallel Session 2 – China-EU Biomedical and Healthcare Industry Exchange
13:30–15:00
Linking Europe Exchange
15:00–17:30
B2B Matchmaking
Friday 21 November
09:00–12:00
Parallel Session 3 – China-EU Digital Technology and Cultural & Creative Industries Exchange
09:00–12:00
Parallel Session 4 – China-EU Agriculture & Food Industry Exchange
09:00–12:00
Parallel Session 5 – China-EU Emerging High-tech Industry Exchange
14:00–17:00
Visits to Industrial Parks and Enterprises
This schedule is subject to change
About the EU SME Centre
The EU SME Centre is a European Union initiative that provides a comprehensive range of hands-on support services to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), getting them ready to do business in China. The Centre converts valuable knowledge and experience into practical business tools and services easily accessible online. Its services include a Knowledge Centre over 200 publications, tailored advice, a full range of training programmes, a wide network of partnerships with business support and trade promotion organisations, as well as an SME Advocacy Platform providing a coherent, consistent and consolidated voice for European small businesses.
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