Amid global geopolitical tensions, cross-regional and cross-cultural cooperation is seen as a key development direction. The Co-Chair of the Europe–Asia Center, Erik Solheim, former United Nations Under-Secretary-General and former UN Environment Executive Director, told Hong Kong Wen Wei Po and other media that HK's real strength lies in being a bridge integrating Eastern and Western cultures, with significant advantages in easing geopolitical tensions and connecting Europe and Asia. He also affirmed China's active role in global green transition and peaceful development, stating that the future of Europe-Asia cooperation will revolve around investment and technology sharing.
Solheim recently attended the "Economic Transformations in a Multipolar World - International Forum on China's Economy and Policy 2025" in HK. During the interview, he described HK as a city deeply rooted in Chinese culture while simultaneously embracing Western cultural elements. This unique positioning, he stressed, will open up more opportunities for collaboration as globalization continues to evolve.
Despite ongoing China-US disputes, Solheim pointed out that most countries wish to maintain strong ties with both China and the US. He suggested that HK should leverage its position as a bridge to connect the two: "HK's ability to act as a bridge, linking the West and China, is its key advantage. While the West, though in relative decline, remains highly significant, China is rising and will undoubtedly play an even greater role in the future."
He further underscored HK's strengths in higher education, describing it as "a great place with many excellent universities." Solheim proposed that the city should maximize its world-class educational resources by admitting more international students. This, he noted, would allow young people to seize opportunities for green cooperation at the crossroads of Chinese and Western civilizations and achieve their full potential.
Green transition is irreversible, credit goes to Chinese green firms
Addressing the controversial remarks by US President Donald Trump, who once dismissed climate change and renewable energy as a "hoax," Solheim made it clear that such claims are unfounded. He illustrated this by pointing out that since 2005, the cost of solar power has plummeted by 95%, proving that "shifting from fossil fuels to solar energy saves money; it is the cheapest option anywhere in the world." This demonstrates that the green transition is an irreversible trend, a success he attributed largely to Chinese green enterprises.
On future cooperation opportunities between Europe and Asia, particularly China, Solheim mentioned that an estimated 45% of global manufacturing will be concentrated in China by 2030. "And HK, as a global financial center, global trade hub, and major port, can play its usual role in facilitating foreign investment into China and Chinese investment abroad."
However, he also noted that certain attitudes in Western societies, shaped by longstanding global dominance, could hinder cooperation. "Some in the West are very arrogant and fail to grasp how quickly the world is changing," he observed. Using Chinese electric vehicles as an example, Solheim highlighted how Western perceptions have shifted—from initially questioning their environmental credentials to now complaining that they are "too advanced and too good." He urged the West to "learn from these technologies and build upon them."
(Source: Wen Wei Po; English Intern Editor: Wynnea; English Editor: Zoey SUN)
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