Fallacies of China-EU relations

What the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) clearly demonstrated was that there is a clear vision for greater joint prosperity in the absence of rivalries, tensions and zero-sum approaches. Its relationship with the European Union (EU) must also be viewed in that perspective. President Xi Jinping’s emphasis on forging close ties in the absence of hostilities resonated in most capitals, with the exception of the United States which has continued to pander towards criminal demonisation of China.

For the EU, which includes countries such as Austria, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Italy, the message from the CPC and the Chinese Foreign Ministry is a clear one. Apolitical cooperation is possible, and spoilers, irritants and disruptive elements must be shelved to move forward in 2022. The message from the Chinese Foreign Ministry is also a clear one. Jeopardisation of bilateral or multilateral ties is solely the prerogative of European states and China is willing to cooperate on all fronts to ensure a securer, safer and peaceful world order. The message is up for grabs for EU member states.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin’s claim that China and the EU are partners, not rivals come amid EU ministers being advised to take a tougher line on Beijing. Such mythmaking, misperceptions and counterproductive policy making from the EU ministers must be shelved in order for the strategic relationship to move in the right direction.

In sync with President Xi Jinping’s opposition to hegemonic pretensions and coercion at the 20th CPC National Congress, China reminded the EU that both sides are strategic partners instead of rivals. Wenbin emphasised on the need to synergise existing gains and capitalise on bilateral ties instead of pursuing reckless competition. The truth is that greater wisdom must prevail in the EU so that its relationship with China is not held hostage to irritants and spoilers.

In light of China placing emphasis on diplomacy and dialogue for a more stable order, the EU should refrain from viewing China as an all-out competitor with no areas for cooperation. According to a paper prepared by the EU’s Foreign Service, EU ministers have been advised to take a tougher stance on Beijing, strengthen cyber and hybrid defences and deepen ties with other Indo-Pacific countries. Such views and policy papers undercut the importance of apolitical cooperation between countries in the absence of hostilities. It also side-lines bilateral relationships that China shares with EU countries such as Austria, which is based on mutual respect and tolerance.

Bilateral trade alone hit $205 billion in the first three months of 2022 which was made possible due to unfettered access of global industry and supply chains. The decision to impose artificial restrictions for political purposes, however, only damages the strategic relationship and prevents joint prosperity from taking hold. Note that undercutting the China/EU relationship will only add to Europe’s economic quagmire and energy crisis which has exasperated due to Russia’s war on Ukraine. Wenbin spoke about how Chinese products have been extremely important for European consumers and have acted as an important alternate during the economic crisis of 2022. Yiwu, the world’s largest wholesale market for commodities in East Asia’s Zhejiang province for example, exported $26.5million worth of products such as heating equipment, air conditioners and electric blankets to Europe in 2022.

At the same time, certain European officials continue to claim that the Western states need to reduce their dependency on China. The EU document for example, mentions that the bloc’s existing policy of viewing China as a ‘partner-competitor – systemic rival’ is outdated with Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra claiming that dialogue with China must leave naivety behind. Naivety, however, is to ignore the importance of the strategic partnership or China’s official policy of neutrality on global conflicts including the Ukraine war. Such statements lack strategic wisdom or foresight as they fail to iron out differences through exchanges, dialogue and diplomacy.

Better sense should prevail in the EU. Contributing to the welfare of citizens of both China and the EU entails capitalising on existing economic cooperation and ensuring that the relationship doesn’t get hijacked by spoilers and irritants pursuing Cold War binaries. Warnings from the German intelligence chiefs, for example, on China using stakes in critical infrastructure to pursue political objectives must be treated as a fallacy which prompted a response from Beijing to ensure that Germany does not politicise the country’s economic relations.

The entire notion of China attempting to alter the new world order is also a fallacy. The EU document mentions that China is leveraging multilateral organisations to promote an alternative vision for the world. The truth is that China has played a constructive role in multilateral organisations such as the United Nations by calling out all states to respect national sovereignty and exercise restraint for a more peaceful world. The weakening of the international system cannot be attributed to China, but to the rise of populism, unilateralism and protectionism which has harmed collective prosperity.

For the EU, it is critical to understand the strategic significance of bilateral relations between the two sides. Misperceptions, preconceived notions or flawed narratives on China will not help.

The writer is an Assistant Research Associate at the Islamabad Policy Research Institute