The future of EU-China relations, the country’s investment in Europe and sustainable growth and environmental protection in the Chinese economy were just some of the topics on the agenda at the sixth Hamburg Summit last weekend. To foster new relationships and honour key players for their efforts in European-Chinese cooperation, DNV GL hosted a dinner in its global maritime headquarters in Hamburg.
Addressing more than 250 dinner guests in the Hafencity, DNV GL maritime president Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said: "We are committed to China and will continue to strengthen this commitment in the future. Our vision is to have a global impact for a safe and sustainable future. To achieve this, we need a global collaboration. That is why it is so encouraging to be a part of the Hamburg Summit.
"Both China and Europe have been at the forefront of setting ambitious goals for renewable energy generation to power a low-carbon future. Recently, China decided to make certification of new types of wind turbines mandatory. We have already established a partnership with a Chinese wind turbine blade manufacturer for certification of its products to improve the reliability and quality of blades produced in China."
In the maritime sector, there are many joint projects underway. Amongst others, DNV GL has just signed an agreement with Sinopacific shipyard for a series of ground-breaking ethane-fuelled carriers, which emit significantly less carbon than diesel-powered vessels. Using liquefied natural gas (LNG) as shipfuel is about to become another integral part of China’s low-carbon strategy, especially in short-sea and river shipping.
Conference chairman, owner of German shipping company Reederei F. Laeisz and former president of Hamburg Chamber of Commerce Nikolaus W. Schües said: "China and Europe have been seeking exchange and a fruitful relationship for several decades now. Thanks to the active contribution of many organisations and interest groups, the relations between China and Europe have never been closer."
To award its contribution to creating a deeper mutual understanding between China and Europe, Schües presented the "China-Europe Friendship Award" to the China Federation of Industrial Economics (CFIE). The car manufacturer BMW received the "China-Europe Sustainability Award" for its outstanding efforts to follow ecological principles and successfully implemented sustainability in its business strategy and actions.