scholar discusses China’s partners

In an article titled A Fragile Future: 2023-2032 Outlook, Tang Shiping 唐世平 Fudan University School of International Relations and Public Affairs distinguished professor predicts a fragile decade ahead and writes about China’s relations with partners, in particular

• Europe
  • at the regional level, China’s most critical partner in the near future is Europe, primarily developed countries in Western Europe, followed by Central and Eastern European countries
  • if China can work together with Europe (especially Germany and France) to play a central role in post-conflict negotiations of the Russia–Ukraine conflict, it may be able to turn this crisis into opportunities, win Europe’s respect and promote the stabilisation of China–EU relations
  • as long as Europe continues to have close economic ties with China and refrains from joining the ‘united front’ against China led by the US, China will have more room to maneuver
• East Asia
  • East Asia occupies a place just as important as Europe for China
  • as long as the East Asian region continues to forge ever closer economic ties with China and refrains from joining the ‘united front’ against China led by the US, China can secure a key foundation for its foreign relations
  • China should continue to promote the implementation of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• Northeast Asia
  • in Northeast Asia, it is imperative for China to stabilise its relations with Japan and South Korea, and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula
• Southeast Asia
  • in Southeast Asia, China should continue to deepen economic ties with the ASEAN, seek mutual benefits and win-win outcomes
• other regions
  • the deepening of economic ties with other regions, especially Latin America, the Middle East and Africa, is also a must for China to maintain its economic growth.