PRC expectations of Europe

Five PRC experts from the China Think-tank Network on Europe recently held a roundtable discussion in collaboration with The Paper, discussing the PRC–US–Europe relationship, including the PRC's expectations of Europe and the reasons for the EU's tough stance towards Beijing, among other topics.

Speaking on the PRC's expectations of Europe for the current and the next decade, Jiang Feng 姜锋 Shanghai International Studies University Shanghai Institute for Global Governance and Regional Studies head stated that Beijing’s major expectations lie in pragmatic cooperation and rational coexistence. The PRC expects Europe to

• maintain an objective understanding and correct positioning
• jointly promote balanced development in economic and trade relations
• strengthen strategic autonomy
  • Europe should reduce structural dependence on the US security system and exercise independent judgment in international affairs
• respect PRC's core interests through concrete actions

The PRC also expects both sides to work together in global governance, he added.

Feng Zhongping 冯仲平 CASS Institute of European Studies (IES) head stated that the PRC's expectation of the EU is to continue playing its key role in free trade, multilateralism, and global governance.

Europe’s current perceptions and policies towards the PRC are more driven by sentiment than rationality, said Zhang Jian 张健 China Institute of Contemporary International Relations (CICIR) vice president. Its China policy is less focused on cooperation and more on precaution, even hostility, he noted, adding that this irrational policy logic and behaviour undermines trust between the two sides and harms Europe’s own interests.

As per Zhang, the current and next decade is a critical period for Europe’s development, and the PRC hopes to see

• a more confident Europe, approaching the PRC and the world with a more positive and open attitude
• a more autonomous Europe, one that can formulate foreign policy based on its own interests rather than gradually sliding into a subordinate role
• a more pragmatic and rational Europe

The next decade is a crucial period for the PRC to achieve socialist modernisation and a critical point for Europe to recalibrate its development path, claimed Jin Ling 金玲 China Institute of International Studies Department for Global Governance and International Organisations head. The PRC expects the EU to become a reliable and stable strategic partner, providing certainty and stability to the international community. To this end, Jin claimed, Europe should

• move beyond the cognitive trap of viewing the PRC as a 'systemic rival'
• be consistent in words and deeds and avoid double standards on issues concerning the PRC's core interests, such as Taiwan
• persist in resolving bilateral trade frictions and other issues through dialogue and consultation
  • the PRC hopes Europe will return to pragmatic cooperation, avoid politicising or securitising economic issues and jointly create a market-based, pro-business policy environment

The PRC also expects sincere cooperation with Europe, particularly in multilateral trade agreements, climate change and sustainable development, said Jin.

The next five years are crucial for the PRC and Europe to achieve sustainable development and for the world to uphold peace and prosperity, said Cui Hongjian 崔洪建 Beijing Foreign Studies University Institute for Regional and Global Governance head. The PRC expects Europe to

• view matters with height, breadth and depth
• return to policy rationality
• enhance pragmatic cooperation

Cui argues Europe should

• move beyond a Western-centric mindset
• treat mutual respect and equality with the PRC as a policy principle rather than mere diplomatic rhetoric
• prioritise trade cooperation on the PRC–Europe agenda rather than using it as a political or security tool
• improve its worldview and perception of the PRC through in-depth dialogue