Prof. Dr. Zhou Hong 周弘
Director of the Institute of European Studies, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences
Ten years ago in 2003, leaders of China and the EU jointly announced their relationship as “comprehensive strategic partnership”. Together with that announcement, cooperation between the two partners witnessed a period of faster and deeper development, which came to be called “honeymoon”. The “honeymoon” however did not last long. Disenchantments, trade frictions and suspicions soon filled everyday life of that marriage. Knowing that neither side can leave the other, the two sides try, with a great deal of difficulties, to reach out to the other side. But to manage a good relationship, a deeper self reflection and a good common will are needed.
Professor Dr. ZHOU Hong holds PhD in comparative history from Brandeis University and Bachelor in German Studies from Nanjing University. She works as Professor of European Politics and Modern History, Director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), and chairs the Chinese Association for European Studies. She is an elected Member of the Academic Divisions of CASS and is serving as Deputy Director General of the Academic Division of International Studies of CASS. Professor Zhou has extensive experiences in consulting and social activities. She has been elected as a standing member of China Economic and Social Council, a vice president of Chinese Association for International Relations, and serves as a special adviser to the Chinese Ministry of Personnel and Social Security.
Professor Zhou’s recent publications include: Social Security System Worldwide (4 volumes, ed. 2010), Chinese Public Views of the World (ed. 2009), China-Europe Relations: Perceptions, Policies and Prospects (eds. 2009), The EU as a Power(ed.2008),EU Governance Model (eds. 2008), Donors in China (2007) and Whither the Welfare State(2006). She is the chief editor of Annual Development Report on Europe (in Chinese) for 15 years.
