Can China get the US out of the way of better ties with Europe?

This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. In this, the first of a series of reports examining ties between the two powers, Shi Jiangtao looks at the influence the United States has on the relationship.

China has ramped up efforts to mend ties with the European Union ahead of a planned bilateral summit later this month, seeking to capitalise on transatlantic disaffection to promote EU cooperation and counter Washington’s unilateralism.

But while Beijing’s conciliatory overtures to Brussels are distinct from its adversarial stance towards Washington, a long-awaited reset in China-EU ties remains largely out of reach.

Brussels has taken a cautious de-risking approach towards Beijing, shaped by its complex alignment with Washington and persistent concerns over China’s global rise. Progress is also constrained by structural mistrust, diverging global priorities and Beijing’s strategic tilt towards Moscow amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In the absence of substantive shifts in strategic posture from either side, observers warn of missed opportunities to recalibrate the partnership for this year’s landmark 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.

Hopes were initially high for this year’s China-EU summit, scheduled for Beijing on Thursday, particularly as surging trade and geopolitical tensions forced the event’s cancellation last year.

  

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