On 28 February 2025, the EU Delegation to China, with the support of the public diplomacy program EUPOP and Euraxess, organised a networking event aiming to foster connections between European and Chinese researchers in China. In his opening address, Deputy Head of the EU Delegation to China Mattias Lentz reminded that open science, based on the principles of transparency and accessibility, is essential for advancing knowledge. Contributions from science are critical in the process of addressing common global challenges, including the fight against climate change and protection of environment and biodiversity. “By pooling our resources and expertise, we could accelerate the pace of discovery and develop solutions that are beneficial to all”, Mattias Lentz said. While we celebrate the achievements of EU-China research collaboration and 50 years of EU-China diplomatic relations, Mattias Lentz invited European and Chinese researchers to maintain collaborations and actively enhance a better understanding of the world.