On 29 January 2026, a new China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) special policy study (SPS) was kicked off, focusing on advancing high-quality development through circular economy with smart digitalisation. The 2026 SPS is co-led by CCICED Special Advisor Ilka Hirt, Deputy Director-General of the International Policy of the BMUKN, and CCICED Special Advisor Hu Qing, Professor of the Southern University of Science and Technology.

The project organized a study tour for a delegation from the MEE, the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), and the Office of the Central Commission for Finance and Economy to Germany and Belgium from 30 October to 6 November 2025. The tour focused on carbon reduction, pollution reduction, biodiversity conservation, and green growth. It aimed to strengthen capacity for collaborative research and to exchange best practices. The programme combined academic insights, practical case studies, and policy discussions through meetings with leading research institutions, government bodies, and innovation centres. The delegation highly valued the exchange, noting that it provided a strong foundation for further technical cooperation.

On 11–12 September 2025, a delegation from the Foreign Environmental Cooperation Office (FECO) of China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) visited Düsseldorf, Essen, and GIZ Bonn to exchange knowledge on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) phase-out, monitoring and remediation. Organised under the Sino-German Environmental Partnership Phase III (SGEP III), the programme combined site visits and expert discussions on EU regulatory developments, drinking-water standards, contaminated-site management and waste treatment. Participants from German authorities, academia and industry shared practical solutions and policy insights. The delegation expressed high satisfaction with the exchange, which lays the foundation for continued technical cooperation.