Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy attends the Premier Zhou Enlai Forum and gives a lecture on New Silk Road in Nankai University on Jan 28.

On Jan 28, 75 years old Romano Prodi, former Prime Minister of Italy, former President of the European Commission, and the honorary professor of Nankai University was invited to Premier Zhou Enai Forum and gave a lecture on New Silk Road for students and teachers in Nankai University.

Prodi is former Prime Minister of Italy and the famous statesman. He also served the minister of Ministry of Industry and the tenth President of the European Commission. He has the nickname "professor in Italy politics", and meanwhile he is the real professor owning Bachelor of Laws, Master's degree in economics and numerous academic awards.

Till this year, China and Italy have established of diplomatic ties for 45 years and China and European Union for 40 years.

Prodi analyzed the changes and new features in the world political and economic patterns since the 21st century, and new roles and responsibilities played by United States, European Union, Russia, Africa and Asia especially China in new geopolitical situation.

"Having established a good relation with Europe, China proposed to establish the 'New Silk Economic Zone', which will strengthen Sino-Europe economic ties and provide more space for their political relations." Prodi said.

The concept of "New Silk Road" has regarded by Prodi as "Great Revolution". Connecting the Europe and China by sea, land and air, the New Silk road will bring about important changes in Asia and Europe. Especially the trains between China and Europe will provide a new horizon to strengthen their increasingly close relationship.

Despite some obstacles, China and Europe have improvement of economic relation, which indicates the possibilities for their cooperation in the future. At present, the trade between China and Europe has surpassed that between China and United States.

Prodi thinks that China and Europe have in fact more space for discussion for European international role and can have more attempts to avoid apparent conflicts such as Sino-U.S. conflicts.

For the development of China, Prodi pointed that great changes at present are taking place in Europe. Different from Europe Union consisting of several dispersed and independent nations, China has more power of focus, which provides more opportunities for development.

Prodi also advised that China should pay more attentions to technology and culture field which are likely to make more progress. For instance, Nankai University is famous in the field of economics and business, and University of Bologna in Italy conducts at present research on e-business and SMEs (Small and medium enterprises). Therefore, Nankai University and University of Bologna can have Substantial exchanges and cooperation in these fields.

When answering the question proposed by a student "For Europe, how to blend in New Silk Road Strategy and how to benefit from the strategy?" Prodi answered that not only Europe, but the whole world will benefit from the strategy.

Profound changes are occurring in the international situation, and great events and organizations are promoting the dialogues among super powers. Hence, Chinese policies will play a more and more important role. China and European Union need each other, should enhance exchanges and cooperation, and jointly tackle the challenges.

At the end of lecture, Prodi put forward his sincere hope for Chinese students. At the age of globalization, the power of China cannot be ignored and New Silk Road is also Road of Cooperation. Therefore, welcome more Chinese students to Europe for further study and hope that new generation make consensus on China, Europe and world peace.