Why younger Europeans can see their futures in China, despite the obstacles

As China ramps up its search for foreign tech expertise, a new generation of talent finds its perspectives on the country are changing

Reading Time:7 minutes

Jane Caiin Beijing,Sylvie Zhuangin BeijingandNora Mankel

Published: 10:00pm, 15 Sep 2025Updated: 6:00pm, 26 Sep 2025

This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. A part of a series of reports examining ties between the two powers, Jane Cai, Sylvie Zhuang and Nora Mankel look at a shift under way in the attitudes of younger Europeans towards China and the opportunities it offers.

More than two years after stringent Covid-19 restrictions prompted an exodus of foreigners from China, there are emerging signs that Europeans are cautiously rekindling interest in pursuing opportunities in the country, despite challenges such as visa uncertainties, limited internet access and geopolitical tensions.

For many Europeans eyeing global opportunities, China brims with great potential in technology, entrepreneurship and other aspects.

“It’s not just about career growth but also about being part of a system where things are changing fast,” said Simon Wold, a Swedish student doing his master’s in European intellectual property (IP) law at Stockholm University.

According to Wold, working in China, a country where IP protection still has room to develop, is “far more exciting” than staying in the European Union (EU) where everything is already settled and rigid, although he admitted to being something of an an “outlier”, as most of his peers in the niche field of IP law were more keen on Germany, Britain, the United States or France.

There also seemed to be an age divide in outlook, Wold suggested.

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China-EU relations at 50

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