On December 7, China and the EU will hold their 24th bilateral summit, celebrating the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive strategic partnership. This milestone summit is set to chart the future course of China-EU relations in a rapidly changing global landscape.
Recently, tensions have surfaced as the EU describes China as a \"partner, competitor, and rival.\" The Chinese mainland views the EU primarily as a partner, dismissing the notion of competition or rivalry. It's like the EU is trying to play a multi-player game with one set of rules! 🎲
Adding to the complexity, the EU launched a \"de-risking strategy\" in 2023, sparking debates about its true intentions. Critics argue that the EU’s new rhetoric lacks concrete actions, potentially revealing a misunderstanding of China’s role on the global stage. This has led to a period of significant adjustment in China-EU relations.
Within the EU, differing perspectives are becoming more pronounced. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel hold varying views on international issues and China-EU cooperation. These internal differences mirror the broader challenges in aligning policies and strategies.
The relationship between China and the EU is also experiencing a trend of \"hot politics, cold economics.\" Since the end of 2022, numerous European leaders, including Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Valdis Dombrovskis, Pedro Sanchez, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Viktor Orban, have visited China. These visits aim to elevate the China-Europe relationship to new heights, showcasing a dynamic and evolving partnership. 🚀
As the summit approaches, all eyes will be on how China and the EU navigate these challenges and opportunities to strengthen their long-standing partnership in the new era.
