FES grants two scholarships to young Chinese scholars and starts to provide technical advice on radio broadcasting.

Start of cooperation between the All-China Federation of Trade Unions and FES.

The FES office in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, opens its doors. FES starts to cooperate with the Society of the People of Sichuan for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

First agreement between FES and the Chinese Communist Party on cooperation and a contractual partnership with the Chinese Association for International Understanding signed.

The FES office in Beijing is officially opened.

The FES office in Chengdu is closed, the Beijing office takes over responsibility for the management of projects with partners in Sichuan

The FES office in Beijing takes over administration of the partnership with the Society of the People of Sichuan for Friendship with Foreign Countries.

The German–Chinese dialogue on human rights is started together with CAFIU and the Chinese Foundation for the Development of Human Rights.

The FES starts cooperating with the International Department at the Central Committee of the CCP on a German–Chinese Dialogue on international security policy.

In cooperation with the International Department of the Central Committee of the CCP the Young Leadership Programme is established.

A series of seminars is initiated with the Social Security Research Centre of China at Renmin University on issues related to reform of the social security system in China.

As a new initiative, a trilateral dialogue hosted by FES about development in and cooperation with Africa is established.

The current Resident Representative of FES, Sven Schwersensky, arrives in Beijing. A dialogue on economic policy is established in partnership with the International Department of the Central Committee of the CCP and the Chinese Association for International Understanding.

The first contract for cooperation is signed between Shanghai Institute (today ‘Institutes’) for International Studies (SIIS) and FES. SIIS remains until today the main partner of FES in Shanghai.

Opening of the FES office in Shanghai; Dr. Klaus Grimm becomes first resident director (1985-89).

One of the most important topics in the first years is the presentation of the social market economy of Germany.

Various commissions of the Shanghai government become first partners of FES.

The Shanghai Municipal Trade Union Council becomes one of FES` first partners.

In the late 80s and early 90s the reform of the Chinese banking sector becomes an important topic. One example of FES work in that area is the conference “Shanghai – Development of an International Financial Centre”, in which over 20 experts discus Shanghais future in the finance sector.

Dr. Klaus Funken becomes resident director (1989-92). One of the topics that is to dominate his time in Shanghai is the development of the Pudong area and the opening-up of Shanghai.

Dieter Vogelsang becomes resident director (1992-1995).

The Shanghai Women’s Federation becomes a FES partner in questions regarding women and genderpolicy.

Hans Mathieu becomes resident director (1995-99).

The cooperation with the Provincial Trade Union Federations of Jiangsu and Zhejiang province begins.

Dr. Stefanie Elies becomes first female resident director (1999-2002).

Prof. Herta Däubler-Gmelin visits FES-Shanghai. A close friendship of the Minister of Justice begins, many visits follow.

The cooperation between FES Shanghai and Shanghai Administration Institute (SAI) takes off – two of the main common interests are party theory and reform of the administration.

Visit of Franz Muentefering, Secretary General of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) of Germany.

Knut Detlefsen becomes resident director (2002-2005). Brigitte Zypries, State Secretary at the German Internal Affairs Ministry, visits FES in Shanghai.

The cooperation with the Legislative Affairs Office begins. The focus of the dialogue is on reform, structure and functions of the Public Administration.

SIIS and FES initiate the Shanghai Conference Series on ‘Global Governance’. First topic is on: “Regional Security Architecture and Global Peace and Stability”.

Sigmar Gabriel, Prime Minister of the Federal State of Lower Saxony, visits FES Shanghai.

Visit of Michael Sommer, President of the Confederation of German Trade Unions (DGB) and Hubertus Schmoldt of the IG BCE (Mining, Chemical and Energy Industrial Union) in Shanghai.

FES-Shanghai celebrates 20 years anniversary. Visit of the President of FES Mrs. Anke Fuchs on this occasion.

Katja Meyer becomes resident director (2005-2008).

Jürgen Peters, President of the IG Metall (2003-2007) and a delegation of the IG Metall ("Industrial Union of Metalworkers") are in Shanghai.

Berthold Huber, Vice Chairman of the IG Metall, participates in the international symposium on “How is China shaping globalization? Moving from the engine room to the driver’s seat?” jointly organized by the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung and the China Europe International Business School (CEIBS).

Visit of Prof. Wolfgang Thierse, Deputy Speaker of the Federal Parliament (Bundestag) of Germany.

Dr. Herbert Schmalstieg, former major of Hannover, Germany and a regular guest of FES Shanghai, visits the office once again.

Dr. Roland Schmidt, General Secretary of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung is in China and includes a visit to Shanghai.

The cooperation of Fudan University and FES is put on a more formal basis. In the presence of German ex-chancellor Gerhard Schröder, Fudan vice president Prof. YAN Shuang and Katja Meyer sign a memorandum of understanding for establishing the “Fudan-FES-Forum”.

6th Global Governance Conference with SIIS on China-EU-Africa Dialogue.

Dr. Rudolf Traub-Merz becomes resident director.

Prof. Herta Daeubler-Gmelin, former German Minister of Justice and a long-time friend of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, visits FES Shanghai and holds public lectures at Tongji University, SIIS, Fudan and SAI.

The School of Public Administration of the Zhejiang University becomes new cooperating partner of FES.

FES is invited to participate in the “Shanghai Forum”. The Cooperation with the School of Social Development and Public Policy starts. FES engages with a workshop on “Development Implications of Labour Markets Dynamics in Asia”.

FES begins cooperation with SYSU in Guangzhou. First workshop is in cooperation with the Institute for Social Security and Social Policy on “Industrial Democracy – Comparing China – South-Korea - Vietnam – Germany” Nearly all FES experts enjoy visiting the Shanghai World EXPO 2010. FES helps partners to get access to the German and other European Pavilions.

Catrina Schläger becomes resident director.