ASEF launched the publication “Asia in the Eyes of Europe – Images of a Rising Giant” during a series of briefings in Paris, Brussels, Berlin to highlight the findings of the unique “Asia in the Eyes of Europe” research project. The briefings were organised by ASEF and its consortium of partners, and hosted by the French Institute of International Relations (ifri), the Brussels Institute of Contemporary Chinese Studies (BICCS) and the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP).

The briefing took place in Paris (18 June 2012), Brussels (19 June 2012), and Berlin (22 June 2012), and analysed the outcomes of the 18 month long study of media and public perceptions on ‘Asia’ in 8 EU member countries – namely Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Romania and the United Kingdom. This study has captured and analysed over 2,700 news items, interviewed over 100 top media professionals, and conducted a survey of over 6,000 respondents to develop a unique understanding of how Europeans perceive Asia.

The study shines a very important light into how Europeans see Asia through various lenses; be it the spontaneous imagery conjuring images of a mythical, vast and cultural rich Asia; to the prominent Asian countries that define Asia; right through to how Asia is reported and framed in news media across Europe.

The briefings also included a presentation from a mirror study examining how the EU is perceived in 10 countries across Asia, shining further light on the current state of Asia-EU relations in this era of economic uncertainty and shifting global power.

The research findings are available in the new publication, “Asia in the Eyes of Europe – Images of a Rising Giant”.