Dealing with China: A European Perspective

Abstract

The EU faces international (how to tackle Russian and Turkish policies?) and internal challenges, primarily intra-EU cooperation on strategic policies which are not “common European policies.” This reflects in the EU’s China policy. Nonetheless, some progress has been made. European perspectives on China are gradually changing. There is a growing awareness on the part of European institutions of a need to exercise caution over Chinese investments into the European Union and to counterbalance China’s diplomatic initiatives where they oppose European interests. This has opened avenues for cooperation with Japan, which has long taken a cautious yet benevolent approach to China. EU institutions and member states of greater international influence such as France have been keen to increase cooperation with Japan as they worked to strengthen European and internal legal frameworks.