Brussels, October 22nd, 2024
On Friday, October 18, 2024, the China (Nanping) Bamboo Industry in Europe Investment Promotion Event, titled “Bamboo as Bridges for Europe-China Cultural Bonds,” was held in Brussels, supported by the China Cultural Center. Advised by the Europe-Asia Center and organized by the Nanping Municipal People’s Government, the event brought together political, business, and cultural leaders to explore the potential of bamboo in not just tackling pressing global challenges such as climate change, plastic pollution, and sustainable development, but also in strengthening cultural and economic links between Europe and China.
High-Level Perspectives on Bamboo
H.E. ZHU Jing, Minister of the Mission of the People’s Republic of China to the European Union, emphasized China’s leadership in sustainable bamboo development and highlighted bamboo’s dual role as a cultural symbol and an eco-friendly resource, noting that bamboo represented:
“A treasure of nature that not only symbolizes the vitality of life with its tenacious and evergreen characteristics but also serves as a bridge connecting our two continents due to its unique position in Sino-European cultural exchanges.”
H.E. Dr.hc. Violeta Bulc, Vice-Chair of the Europe-Asia Center and former EU Commissioner for Transport and Mobility, stressed the versatility of bamboo as a raw material, noting its potential applications in packaging, construction, and consumer products, and highlighting the need for a return to simple, natural solutions, stating:
“Sometimes the best solutions are the simplest ones. If we can encourage farmers to grow industrial hemp and bamboo, the world will be well on its way to achieving a green transformation by 2050, as envisioned in the ambitious Green Deal."
Mr. YUAN Chaohong, Secretary of the Nanping Municipal Party Committee, described the progress by Nanping’s bamboo industry in recent years, highlighted the presence of successful both Chinese and international companies, and emphasized Nanping’s leading role in China’s bamboo industry, sharing:
“For every 10 bamboo stems in China, one comes from Nanping.”
Mr. CHEN Xianqing, Secretary of the Shaowu Municipal Party Committee, introduced the “Wuyi Bamboo Cube” brand, which integrates bamboo culture, technology, and industry, outlined the “Replace Plastic with Bamboo” initiative, and called on an inclusive approach to bamboo, reminding participants that:
“Bamboo is not just China’s; it belongs to the world.”
Panel Discussion: Leveraging Bamboo for the Global Green Transition
The event’s panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Matic Gajšek, Director for Europe of the Europe-Asia Center, delved into innovations and challenges associated with bamboo.
In an intriguing exchange of views, Ms. Matea Benedetti, Founder and CEO of Benedetti Life; Mr. Costas Papaikonomou, Co-Founder of Una Terra; Mr. Marco Iotti, Founder of Bioloopers, and Ms. Shen Liling, Partner of the Wuyi Bamboo Lifang brand, discussed topics as diverse as the role of bamboo and in future of fashion design, consumer perceptions of bamboo, the chiasm between long-term sustainability and short-term returns, and the role of consumer education.
Artistic Perspectives on Bamboo
The event also featured cultural performances that blended Eastern and Western traditions. Renowned Chinese singer WU Ye performed “Jasmine Flower” alongside the Italian opera aria “Quando m’en vò,” exemplifying bamboo’s role as a cultural bridge. European composers Jean-Francois Maljean and Leon First further emphasized this theme with the premiere of their piano piece “Bamboo.”
Concrete Steps to Thriving Together
The event concluded with a Sino-European Bamboo Industry Trade Cooperation Signing Ceremony, solidifying several agreements between European and Chinese companies. Notable agreements included:
A partnership agreement between Fujian Shaowu Bamboo Cube Brand Company and EU International Logistics Company.
A collaboration agreement between Zhuanghe Bamboo Industry and MOSO International Group on bamboo product innovation.
A design and development agreement between Fujian Shaowu Bamboo Cube Brand Company and Benedetti Life, focusing on sustainable luxury products.
A procurement agreement between Fujian Quanli Household Products Manufacturing and Firma Holger Wendt.
A product development cooperation agreement between Fujian Shaowu Bamboo Cube Brand Company and Bioloopers.
An investment agreement between Long Bamboo Technology and Mandy Wooden Technology Company.
Conclusion: A Call for Deepening EU-China Cultural and Trade Ties Rooted in Bamboo
As H.E. Zhu Jing noted in his remarks, “We gather here not just to celebrate bamboo’s past, but to jointly envision its future as a cornerstone of global green development.”
The event reinforced the shared commitment to sustainability and cultural exchange, positioning bamboo as a symbol of unity in the journey toward a greener, more connected world.
For press enquiries:
Jonathan Schwestka, Deputy Director for Europe, Europe – Asia Center