About Us
The China Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation (CECCI) was established at a significant historical milestone — the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Europe. Located within the BRICS Special Economic Zone China Cooperation Centre, CECCI is a non-profit social organisation jointly supervised by the Publicity Department of the CPC Committee of Hangzhou and the Bureau of Civil Affairs, Culture, Tourism and Sports of Hangzhou.
Based in Hangzhou and serving cities across China and Europe, the Centre is dedicated to building a demonstration platform for people-to-people cultural exchange and innovative cooperation between China and Europe. Through a systematic and multi-level strategic framework, it seeks to promote in-depth collaboration between China and European countries in the fields of culture, education and science and technology.
On 5th June 2025, the China–Europe Centre for Cultural Innovation was officially inaugurated in Hangzhou, China. On the same occasion, CECCI joined hands with Xi’an Jiaotong University, Communication University of China, and Hunan Broadcasting System International Channel, among other leading universities, mainstream media organisations and industry bodies, to jointly launch the Higher Link International Communication Alliance. Through a wide range of cultural exchange initiatives — including cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, academic forums, industry–education cooperation and index development — the Centre and the Alliance actively foster multi-sector engagement between China and Europe in culture, education and innovation, contributing to the diverse international dissemination of Chinese Stories.
In terms of its operational structure, CECCI has established three core strategic divisions — International Culture, International Education, and International Innovation.
The International Culture Division focuses on advancing deep cultural exchange between Chinese and European cities, developing an international communication network of over 1,000 media outlets, and organising high-level cultural and artistic events. It promotes outstanding Chinese cultural works to global audiences while also introducing high-quality European cultural projects to China, thus realising reciprocal cultural exchange.
The International Education Division, led by its sub-brand Higher Link, is devoted to fostering deep exchange and cooperation between young people and higher education institutions in China and abroad. Through initiatives such as joint research projects, faculty and student exchanges, reciprocal study programmes and joint educational ventures, it aims to establish a systematic and sustainable mechanism for talent cultivation and academic exchange.
The International Innovation Division leverages China–Europe innovation exchange platforms to actively support the incubation and transformation of technological innovation projects, promote technological advancement and industrial application, and assist in local industrial upgrading and innovation ecosystem development.
As a bridge for China–Europe cultural exchange, CECCI is committed to building a high-level international platform for cultural dialogue. For example, in August 2025, CECCI collaborated with Beijing Normal University, the Shanghai Theatre Academy, the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh Festival Committee to host the “2025 Asia-Europe Culture & Arts Development Forum” during the Edinburgh Festival, further expanding practical cooperation between China and Europe in areas such as joint performing arts production, copyright exchange and market collaboration. CECCI will also hold an annual international high-level forum, providing a premium platform for sustained cooperation.
Looking ahead, CECCI will continue to use culture as a conduit to promote multi-sector, multi-level people-to-people exchange and innovative collaboration between China and Europe. The Centre aims to contribute to mutual learning among civilisations and to the creation of a more inclusive and dynamic ecosystem for international cultural exchange.