Relating research to policymaking remains the single biggest challenge for the continent's think tanks and research institutes. Former president of the European Commission Romano Prodi recently said that ties with China are at only 1 percent of their potential, blaming the lack of a common China policy between Germany, the UK and the rest of the continent.

"You could not say there is a European policy vis-a-vis China, nor a Chinese policy vis-a-vis Europe," Prodi said. "There is sympathy, and more of a friendship aspect, but China, if you look globally, is looking more at the United States. We lack the political harmony and attitude to capitalize. We are losing these occasions, because of the European division, because we don't have an autonomous strategic policy."

It is food for thought back in Brussels, where there is clearly scope for improvement within the growing network of China focused research centers.

"Compared to the expertise in the US and in Asia, we are really lagging behind," says Geeraerts at the BICCS.

"There is a real need for an increased effort and investment in research on contemporary China." It is a stark reminder that for all the progress over the past few years, there is still plenty of work to be done on the EU-China relationship both in Brussels and across the continent.

"It has often been said there was a honeymoon period between the EU and China, but over the last three or four years both sides have become more realistic. They realize they are quite interdependent, but interdependence can mean more possibility of conflicting interests and problems.

"Europeans are realizing that dealing with China is a challenge and they are not yet well enough informed. We want to make people aware that we don't need to be afraid of China."