Beijing’s push to future-proof the global workforce took center stage Monday, as more than 200 Chinese and European leaders gathered to confront artificial intelligence’s disruption of labor markets. The 2026 China-Europe Talent Forum delivered a blunt message: governments, corporations, and universities must collaborate now on reskilling and upskilling efforts, or risk leaving entire populations behind.
Organized jointly by the Beijing Municipal Human Resources Bureau and Zurich-based Adecco Group, the event drew officials, multinational executives, academics, and think tank researchers from both regions. Six targeted sub-forums covered youth employment, education, science and technology, culture, future industries, and ecological civilization.
Jean-Christophe Deslarzes, chairman of Adecco Group, framed AI workforce preparation as a shared obligation across sectors. He pointed to the forum’s evolution since 2018 as evidence of deepening China-Europe ties, with Madrid hosting last year, Beijing this year, and Berlin slated for next. Deslarzes called for expanding participation to additional European cities to strengthen the bilateral connection.
Meanwhile, Stephen Jackson, UN Resident Coordinator in China, stressed that global talent cooperation benefits everyone. Europe and China, he noted, possess among the world’s leading universities and companies, creating substantial common ground for mutual learning and dialogue.
A major data release punctuated the forum. The Beijing Institute of Talent Development Strategy, working with Springer Nature, published the Global City Talent Retention Index 2026. Covering 130 cities worldwide, the index ranked Beijing fifth for innovation momentum, marking seven straight years in the global top 10.
Organizers also announced two new initiatives: a China-Europe talent think tank alliance and the SPARK Program for Global Young Innovators. The latter aims to connect emerging innovators worldwide with Beijing’s startup and technology ecosystem.
As a result, the forum’s seventh edition reinforced its role as a primary channel for talent exchange and practical cooperation between the two regions.
