Engagement is the right way for China-EU relationship

Editor's note: He Zhigao, a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN, is an associate professor at the Institute of European Studies, research fellow of the National Institute for Global Strategy of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences. The article reflects the author's opinions, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On December 7, China and the EU are holding their 24th bilateral summit. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership, making this summit an important moment for charting the course for China-EU relations in the new era.

Recently, the EU's view of China as a "partner, competitor and rival," incurred criticism from the Chinese side because China sees the EU as a partner rather than a competitor, let alone a rival. It sounds like the EU plays a single game of sport with three different sets of rules. 

Furthermore, a "de-risking strategy" was launched by the EU in 2023, arousing concerns for its real intention. The EU is quite fond of coining new rhetorical jargon without concrete connotations, unleashing misunderstandings. If such action is not out of arrogance and fear, it only reveals Europe's cognitive deficit with China. Nevertheless, China-EU relations have entered a period of major adjustment.

In recent years, the differences between EU institutions have intensified, not only on international flashpoints but on China-related issues as well. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Charles Michel view world issues differently, China-EU cooperation in particular.

Besides, China-EU relations have taken on a new trend of "hot politics, cold economics." Since the end of 2022, many European leaders have visited China and pushed the China-Europe relationship to a new level, including Olaf Scholz, Emmanuel Macron, Valdis Dombrovskis, Pedro Sanchez, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Viktor Orban, etc.

However, the EU still seeks to address the gaping bilateral trade imbalance with China. In September, the European Commission announced an anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles. In November, von der Leyen mentioned that the crux of the China-EU summit is "to achieve a level playing field in our trade relationship with China."

The backdrop of China-EU relations is interdependence, no matter what rhetoric is trending. The European Union's top diplomat Josep Borrell describes China-EU relationship as "conflictual interdependence." European Council on Foreign Relations wrote one report titled "Strategic interdependence: Europe's new approach in a world of middle powers." It not only touches upon the changing of the world, but also figures out how to deal with the new world order.

As the economic and trade interdependence between China and Europe continues, Europe cannot afford to ignore the huge size of China's market. In 2022, the trade volume in goods between China and the EU was 856.3 billion euros, both being each other's second largest trading partner. It means China and the EU have established a coexisting economic relationship.

Furthermore, China-EU security cooperation has embraced a new impetus, with a shared commitment to uphold international peace, including stability in the Middle East and peace in Ukraine. Even though cooperation on peace and security is lagging behind, China and the EU share more common interests on regional security issues.

In addition, global challenges require cooperation between China, the EU, and even the U.S., especially when it comes to issues like climate change and global development.

The approach to improving the China-EU relationship is engagement, no matter what kind of phrase the two sides use to describe their relationship. In 1998, the EU decided to "build a comprehensive partnership" with China, which stressed constructive engagement; this has become a keyword for EU's China policy.

Under the circumstance of "changes unseen in a century," while the China-EU relationship is experiencing further intensified competition and contradictions, but maintaining engagement still works. China is always willing to cooperate with Europe, viewing the EU as a pivotal global actor. As two global forces, two markets, and two civilizations, China and the EU will have a profound impact on global prosperity and development.

Moreover,  China's new concept of development, which includes the principles of "innovative, coordinated, green, open, and shared development", is compatible with the EU's sustainable transformation goals. Both sides will become partners in terms of promoting the transformation of development paradigms. The EU's development paradigm will overlap with China's economic reforms, which not only accelerates the expansion of cooperative relations between China and the EU, but also responds to global issues.

Engagement needs mutual respect and the right perception. China is committed to establishing a stable and sustainable relationship with the EU, thereby developing mutually beneficial cooperation.

China and the EU have been taking an active and pragmatic approach to advancing their cooperation for a long time. The EU's China policy is becoming more complicated, but the EU is still willing to engage and cooperate with China. Strategic communication, not only high-level dialogue but also people-to-people exchanges will effectively manage disagreements and facilitate bilateral cooperation.

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