New synergies emerge between China, EU
The upcoming summit between China and the European Union is worthy of attention. The meeting comes amid increasing misgivings about China after the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini set out 10 concrete actions in the document “EU-China – A Strategic Outlook” on March 12. In the wake of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to three European countries – Italy, Monaco and France, China and EU leaders will not only talk about specific topics but also plan the direction and focus of the next stage of China-EU cooperation.
The summit will take pragmatic steps such as planning for the future and deepening cooperation. The other important aim of the meeting is to positively respond to EU concerns.
French and German heads of state expressed their enthusiasm and interest in the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The BRI has long been an important part of China-EU cooperation. Italy became the first G7 country to sign up to the initiative. China has launched pragmatic cooperation with
Central and Eastern European countries and Greece within the framework of the BRI. Additionally, Northern European countries have also shown interest in the initiative and have come up with potential and visionary cooperation plans like the “Ice Silk Road.”
Along with China’s more open and quality development during the implementation of the BRI, there is a promising future for cooperation between Chinese and European enterprises in third party markets.
There are now worrying signals in Europe and an inconsistency of attitude toward China among EU leaders. French President Emmanuel Macron hopes a split EU will deepen relations with China, but he is also concerned about Beijing’s increasing global influence. Meanwhile, some Western media outlets have called Italy’s choice to sign up for the BRI “unwise.”
However, they just don’t understand the BRI’s principles of openness and cooperation – joint consultation, co-construction and sharing. In addition, they don’t want to admit that Italy joined the BRI because it will be mutually beneficial. Contrary to what is widely believed, European countries’ joining the BRI will not hurt the continent’s integration or unity.
European integration is flailing as the foundation of this regional bloc has weakened. The phenomenon is obvious in countries like France, Germany, Italy and the UK. As a result, policies to promote integration lacked impetus. EU leaders have emphasized the unity of the bloc.
In this context, the “EU-China – A Strategic Outlook” aims to unite the EU and make member states talk in one and the same voice when it comes to relations with China.
However, this is the toughest diplomatic bottleneck for the bloc. Due to different interests of member states, their attitudes toward China vary. Therefore, EU leaders seek consistency and solidarity at the bloc level when facing China.
Currently, the driving force for European integration emanates mainly from Europe itself. But cooperation between China and the EU, particularly Beijing’s support, is important, especially as US President Donald Trump has adopted a hostile attitude toward the bloc. China’s support is conducive to promoting European prosperity, security and peace.
President Xi’s speech at the closing ceremony of the Global Governance Forum co-hosted by China and France in Paris on March 26 was a response to the EU’s doubts about China. It reminded the bloc that China and the EU are comprehensive strategic partners who should trust each other and cooperate as well as resolve differences.
During the EU-China summit, leaders from both sides are expected to talk about coordinating their paces. The EU attaches great importance to China’s deepening reform and opening-up and expects the implementation of relevant policies. European enterprises are very sensitive to measures initiated by China; they hope the country opens its market wider and lowers the threshold for foreign investment. The latest law on foreign investment approved during the two sessions addressed those hopes. What China should do and is doing is making the “cake of cooperation” bigger to allow Europe to benefit more from the Asian country’s reform and opening-up.