Benelux Chamber To Welcome Nearly 50 Interns in 2026 Q1

Yesterday, the Benelux Chamber of Commerce held its Intern2China Bootcamp Day in Shanghai for the first 20 students arriving in China as part of the Chamber’s Intern2China (I2C) Program. The program aims to support students from the Benelux region and across Europe by matching them with internships aligned with their academic background, strengths, and career interests. The Bootcamp Day is designed as an immersive experience, featuring team-building activities and cultural visits to help participants better understand China and build connections from day one.

“Before the pandemic, Shanghai welcomed more than 500,000 international students every year. That number dropped sharply in 2021,” says Jonathan Xu, General Manager of the Benelux Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai. “With Intern2China, we aim to support students who have an interest in China and help them broaden their horizons.”

Jonathan adds: “Ten years ago, I completed an internship in China myself, and it was extremely challenging to secure a position due to unclear visa regulations and companies not yet seeing the value of foreign interns. Through Intern2China, and with the strong support of our members, we are actively changing this.”

Launched in late 2023, Intern2China welcomed over 40 participants in 2025. With the continued support of the Shanghai authorities and committed member companies that actively mentor and train young professionals, the program has already reached its full 2025 participation level within the first quarter of 2026, reaching to nearly 50 participants.

“Last year alone, we supported more than 500 students from the Benelux region through study exchanges and internships,” Jonathan explains. “This year, we expect that number to rise to nearly 800. In addition to the Intern2China program, we maintain close partnerships with universities across the Benelux region and support them during their visits to China.”

He continues: “According to polling conducted by The Economist, younger generations increasingly view China more favourably, driven by a range of social and economic factors. We clearly feel this shift at the Benelux Chamber of Commerce, not only among students, but increasingly among employees of our member companies as well.”

In a 2025 Economist poll conducted across 32 countries, preference for China as the leading global power (compared to the United States) correlated strongly with younger respondents, while older generations overwhelmingly favoured the US.

“It is crucial to recognize that these students are in the final stage of their academic journey and about to enter the professional world,” Jonathan concludes. “At a time of growing geopolitical tensions, people-to-people exchanges are more important than ever. By supporting these exchanges, we contribute not only to personal development, but also to stronger Sino-Benelux business relations.”

Students interested in applying for an internship through the Benelux Chamber of Commerce can visit https://intern2china.org.