Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation

19 January 2009, Brussels

A Seminar on "China's ability to cope with natural disasters: a global challenge - from rescue operations to rehabilitation policies: the Sichuan earthquake case" was held on the premises of the European economic and Social committee in Brussels, followed by a reception and a photographic exhibition.

What if China, the third global economic power, on its way to be second to the US and the first in a foreseeable future, was vulnerable to natural disasters to a point that would impact the rest of the world? China’s extreme geographical conditions in most of its territory make development an extremely tough challenge and expose China to severe natural hazards or to man-made disasters which can lead to significant economic shocks with an impact on the rest of the world. In a global economy, China’s partners should develop an acute awareness of this peculiarity. 

To answer to these questions the Madariaga-College of Europe Foundation in close cooperation with the Mission of the People’s Republic of China organised on January 19th 2009 - from 4.00 to 6.30 p.m. - a workshop devoted to this topic on the premises of the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC). After a welcoming address by Filip Hamro-Drotz, President of the External Relations Section at EESC, the event was introduced by Ambassador Song Zhe and chaired by Jean-Luc Dehaene, President of the Administrative Council of the College of Europe while Javier Solana, High Representative for the European Common Foreign and Security Policy and President of the Madariaga - College of Europe Foundation, drawn the conclusions.  

For more information please contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or 0032 2 209 62 10.

The edited collection of papers from the Conference is now available; if you would like to order a copy, please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it