Yesterday the G.O.R.K.I. Centre SPbU held the first day of the seminar ‘EU – China: Systemic Rivalry or Room for Cooperation?’ The thematic lectures were held by the SPbU professors and also the people who had practical experience in relation to EU Institutions, such as Council of the European Union. The lecturers touched upon many topics, including the role of the EU Council in pursuing common foreign policy among the member states, the current state of EU-China relations, different strategic approaches to China among the European countries and the possibilities for EU and China to restore the old format of partnership. Students received a lot of very useful information, which will help them during the mock session of the meeting of the EU Council, which will be held on 16 November.