Reinvigorating the EU-China Strategic Partnership

Abstract

According to China’s recent policy paper on the European Union, the ‘China-EU Comprehensive Partnership [is at a crucial stage as] it enters its second decade. … With no fundamental conflict of interests, China and the EU have far more agreement than differences [and] face new historic opportunities.’³ The Chinese government’s renewed emphasis on collaboration implies both opportunities and challenges for civil society dialogue and cooperation between the EU and China. These opportunities and challenges have to be understood in the context of fast moving developments within China and the EU. China is in a phase of complex reforms and transition towards a market-driven, innovative, knowledge-based, more inclusive, more just and more sustainable economy and society. For this transition towards a model of more sustainable development, China needs and frequently asks for the support of the EU and its member states.

The EU should … launch a political review of EU—China policy that would look at the way both member states and the EU institutions approach China. It should examine the effectiveness of sectorial and strategic dialogues so that the process can be streamlined and preferably run at the level of the EU institutions. … The EEAS will also need to involve European businesses and NGOs in order to gain political legitimacy and influence.

François Godement, European Council on Foreign Relations¹

The greater flexibility of non-governmental organizations in using networks has given rise to what some call ‘the new public diplomacy’, which is about building relationships with civil society actors in other countries and about facilitating networks between non-governmental parties at home and abroad.

Joseph S. Nye Jr, Harvard Kennedy School of Government²