china IR rev final sept 2023

analogous to the evolution of nature and a human couple 30 , and transactional in wanting
to cut deals. Or in the words of Josep Borrell: “The real challenge before us is how best to
make our relations work and manage our differences. This will be in the interest of China
and the European Union. We owe it to the world.” 31
Much work is ahead to rebalance world affairs without neglecting hurdles to strengthen the
EU internally and the EU’s global Asia policy, even as the multi-faceted EU-China
relationship is managed with a more significant deal of strategic foresight. And this starts
at home in Europe. Efforts at a more firm and united strategy vis-a-vis China reflect
increased Western concertation in response to Chinese long-term plans, geopolitical shifts,
and long-standing EU complaints about unfair competition and an unbalanced trading
relationship . Thus, resuming the EU-China Trade and Economic high-level dialogue is a
welcome first step. EU must also get its act together on Iran and its policies towards the
Middle East, Europe’s near abroad, a high-maintenance area, and an unstable region of
international politics. Or in the words of Dashi Fu Cong: “China and EU are big players in
the world. There are many things that the leaders could talk about, both bilaterally and
globally” 32 Thus, a harmonious strategic partnership could evolve between China and
Europe, two old and regenerating civilizations. Or in literary terms, China has adopted a
policy of Strategic Opportunity in its foreign policy and is increasingly using its relationship
with Russia in a quest for status . At the same time, new modes of competition are being
introduced, impacting China’s rise and reshaping world politics. 33 For the Chinese, the
creative process is about interaction and how we relate to one another- human rights and
individuals are not at the forefront. Or, to coin Stanley Hoffmann: The US hegemony
undoubtedly suggests one subsumes under the US-led international order, but there are
different ways of doing so.
How to advance the EU-China relationship? How to promote the US and EU’s interests?
I propose to proceed with a discussion in the format of the EU-US Dialogue on China
inaugurated by Helga Schmidt in 2021 and to put it to good use to understand better what
can be achieved based on an assessment of all involved parties’ objectives and interests.
This implies, amongst others, an exchange on how to proceed: (1) The integration of China,
India, Turkey, Iran, and perhaps even Russia – they have CIS and CSTO- into the followup
on EU’s Central Asia strategy and along with the engagement on dialogue on Afghanistan
(2) A package on China in cooperation with EP to promote the ratification of the EU-
China comprehensive investment agreement building on the Michel-Jinping & Macron,
UVL-Jinping dialogue. For instance, (a) China has already implemented the ILO
conventions, so this could be leveraged towards a UN project portfolio on Xinjiang and
possibly a series of dialogue meetings in a format to be decided provided tangible progress
on EU help in Afghanistan 34 (b) Chinese police offices in EU are inappropriate and smacks
off post-colonial revenge and ressentiment. Instead, China should open consulates and
30
Gustav Geraaerts “The EU-China Partnership: Between Divergence and Convergence,”
https://www.academia.edu/38735881/The_EU_China_Partnership_Balancing_Between_Divergence_and_Convergenc
e
31
Josep Borrell “My views on China and Eu-China relations”https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/my-view-china-and-euchina-relations_en
32
Interview with FT[online]http://eu.china-mission.gov.cn/eng/mh/202304/t20230404_11053811.htm
33
Scott M. More China’s Next Act, Oxford UP, 2022.
34
Given the new Beijing constellation in Foreign Policy personnel, is this wise?
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