EU-China relations need more mutual understanding

More than thirty years have passed since diplomatic relations were established between the EU and China. The establishment of a summit meeting system, the publication of policy papers from both sides, the deepening of political and human rights dialogues, the widening of sectoral
dialogues, the development of a strategic partnership and the negotiation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement – all these mark the achievements obtained in EU-China relations. Between the EU and China, intensified economic and trade relations work as the cornerstone of the partnership. The EU is China’s largest trading partner and its most important supplier of technology. China is the EU’s second largest trading partner, the greatest source of manufactured imports, and the fastest growing export market.

On the other hand, EU-China relations are hampered by problems. Particularly after 2005, the doubts about the strategic partnership between the two sides, the EU’s rising trade deficit with China, and the suspension of the EU-China
summit meeting at the end of last year, remind both the Europeans and the Chinese that it needs wisdom and efforts from both sides to further promote the development of bilateral relations.

College of Europe: Postgraduate programmes: EU International Relations and Diplomacy Studies: Research Activities: EU China Observer http://www.coleurope.eu/template.asp?pagename=EUCO

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