The numbers are impressive: in 2018, the trade volume between China and the EU has risen by more than ten percent – to around $ 682 billion. The EU has been China’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. The People’s Republic in turn is the EU’s second largest trading partner. Both benefit from each other, yet it crunches before the joint summit in Brussels.
EU: China is also a competitor
In March, the EU Commission published a strategy paper, the tenor reads: China is a partner of the EU, but also competitors and system rivals. A plea for a common European China policy, which demands more from China.
Shi Zhiqin is an expert on European politics at Beijing’s Tsinghua University, he is skeptical of the new paper. „The relationship between China and the EU has so far been characterized more by cooperation than by competition, and now it seems to be more competitive than cooperation.“ But for a win-win situation, both sides would have to cooperate. Not only China benefits from the partnership, but also the EU. This is based on reciprocity.
EU calls for equal market access
At the heart of European criticism is the issue of reciprocity. Brussels wants fair and free trade with China under the same conditions. Meaning, the market access, the China has in Europe, Europe also calls in China. But that is not the case. For years, the EU has been calling for a level playing field for European companies in China.
But whether market access, technology theft or cyber security: From a European point of view, there is still a lot of room for improvement.
Beijing rejects allegation of division
Another accusation from Brussels: China would try to divide the EU by making targeted bilateral agreements. This was the case with Italy most recently – as part of the „New Silk Road“ initiative.
The accusation of division rejects political scientist Shi. „China has had a consistent European policy since the 1990s, we want a stable and prosperous Europe that is developing and we support European integration.“ During the euro debt crisis, China bought European bonds. In addition, China will help some European countries through investment. „But China not only appreciates relations with member countries, but also their relationship with the EU itself.“
China does not want a two-front war
Anyone listening to official statements in Beijing these days will hear similar sounds. The increasing criticism from Europe considers China unjustified and exaggerated. The headwind from Brussels is also completely inconvenient, because the trade war with the US is not yet off the table. China definitely wants to avoid a two-front conflict.
Vice-Foreign Minister Wang Chao emphasizes therefore in the run-up to the summit above all the similarities. „China and Europe are both interested in working together more for mutual benefit, sharing a common position on multilateralism and free trade, and working together to strengthen the global governance system and maintain peace and security in the world . “
Joint Summit Declaration?
Europe will demand more openness and fairness in trade at the China Summit. Whether there are specific commitments from the Chinese, but it is unclear. Diplomatic groups in Beijing are rather skeptical – also with regard to a joint summit declaration.
Although this did not happen in 2016 and 2017, experts agree that a successful EU-China summit can only be achieved with a joint communiqué. That would be a positive signal on the way to the planned investment agreement that the EU wants to conclude with China by 2020. But one thing that dominates the picture at the moment is that the wind between China and the EU is getting rougher.
