The Sweden-China Circular Economy Seminar was successfully held in Beijing on November 19, 2025. Jointly organized by the China Association of Circular Economy, Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, and Business Sweden, the seminar was themed “New quality productivity leads high-quality development of circular economy.” It aimed to deepen pragmatic cooperation between China and Sweden in advancing the circular economy. Nearly 100 participants from government authorities, industry associations, research institutions, and enterprises attended the event.

As a global leader in innovation, circular economy, and green development, Sweden has long been committed to sustainability and maintains stable economic and trade relations with China. At the opening session, Ms. Stina Hinderson, Head of CSR Centre, Embassy of Sweden in Beijing, and Mr. Zhao Kai, Executive Vice President of the China Association of Circular Economy, delivered welcome remarks. Both speakers reaffirmed the strong cooperation between the two countries in circular economy and expressed confidence in achieving more concrete results in the years ahead.

Mr. Zhao Kai delivered a keynote speech entitled “Prospects of Key Areas of Circular Economy in the 15th Five-Year Plan.” He reviewed the major achievements in China’s circular economy during the 14th Five-Year Plan period and outlined priorities for the 15th Five-Year Plan. These include strengthening top-level policy design, building circular industrial systems, accelerating the development of second-hand goods markets and remanufacturing, advancing comprehensive solid waste management, and reinforcing technological innovation as well as international standards and certification systems to support high-quality growth. Following this, Mr. Van Der Meer, Green Transition Counsellor, EU Delegation to China, shared the latest progress in EU circular economy policies. China Resource Recycling Group Co., Ltd. also presented on the development of standards and certification systems for resource recycling supply chains and on opportunities for international cooperation.

During the best practice sharing session, Swedish experts and corporate representatives highlighted innovative approaches and practical experience. Mr. Cesar Lopes, Supplier Development Leader, IKEA Purchasing East Asia shared case studies on the sustainable use of aluminum, while Ms. Zhu Yanjing from IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute’s China Division provided an in-depth analysis of the full life cycle of textile circular value chains. In the panel discussion, Mr. Thomas Zhao, Vice President, SKF China and Northeast Asia, Thomas Larsen, Senior Project Manager, Business Sweden, and other panelists engaged in a lively exchange on the challenges and solutions for promoting high-quality development of the circular economy through new quality productive forces.

In addition, representatives from Henan Yinjinda New Materials, Zhejiang Lanjing Technology, and Suzhou Botree Recycling Technologies etc. shared their practice and innovative achievements in the circular economy. Through policy briefings, case studies, and interactive discussions, the seminar provided a high-level platform for China and Sweden to further strengthen cooperation in the circular economy and jointly advance green and low-carbon development.