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China-EU Relations On Track for Success
Mutual economic interests and strategic interdependence are the bases upon which Sino-European relations have shifted from confrontation to co-operation in recent years.
Sino-European relations are characterized by a "double track." This means that while China develops her bilateral relations with the European Union member countries respectively, she has also attached importance to improving relations with the European Union as a whole in relation to economic integration.
In recent years, Sino-European relations have been greatly improved. In 1993, the European Commission, for the first time, decided to provide assistance for a programme in China sponsored by the United Nations.
The EU and China began political dialogue in 1994. One year later, the two sides held a dialogue on human rights, clearing major obstacles hindering the development of relations.
Since then, the bilateral trade volume has increased by a large margin.
In 1991, the bilateral trade volume stood at only US$11.61 billion. Four years later, it has soared to US$40.34 billion. In 1998, the figure reached US$48.9 billion. The European Union has become China's third largest trading partner, accounting for 15 per cent of China's foreign trade volume.
With the development of Sino-European relations, both sides' dependence on the United States has shown signs of waning. The deepening of European integration, especially when the launch of the euro in 1999, boosted Europe's confidence on the international stage.
The former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger once said, in one of his articles, that the United States' containment policy towards China would not command support from other countries. The only result is that it would push the European Union towards China, leading to Europe replacing the United States' role in Asia.
The European Union also has said that China and the European Union have no fundamental rifts, and the European Union could play a unique role in helping China better mix with the international community.
To this end, the European Union has attempted to create a sound climate for bilateral relations with China.
This point can be seen clearly from the European Union's attitude at the United Nations annual conference on human rights and other conferences which were held after the Kosovo crisis.
On another note, out of concern for security, both sides have begun to intensify military co-operation in an attempt to counterbalance the US military might. In the past five years, the European Union has published five policy documents in regard to China, three of which are comprehensive strategic guidances.
This clearly demonstrates that the European Union takes China's strategic role in Asia very seriously.
The adjustment of Europe's policy towards China is a direct result of the changes in global trends and political situations during the 1990s.
Dramatic changes in both China and Europe have forced each side to reappraise their policies towards the other.
China's potential consumer market and economic take-off since it initiated reform and opening up 20 years ago led the European Union to reconsider its policy towards China.
In the same fashion, China cannot afford to ignoring the European Union which became much stronger with the launch of its single currency.
The growth in importance of China and the European Union forced the realization of each other's significance to the other.
Meanwhile, the challenges posed by economic globalization and political multi-polarization forced the two sides to identify areas of common interests and thus to take steps to strengthen co-operation.
The European Union and China have much leeway in the campaign against terrorist activities, nuclear proliferation and international organized crimes.
Chinese leaders repeatedly expressed their inclinations to build a strong partnership with Europe during their meetings with European leaders in 1998 and 1999.
Such a partnership is not only in the fundamental interest of both sides, but also conforms to the trend of political multi-polarization.
European leaders also have said that without China's participation, any bid to establish a stable international order would be impossible.
From the perspective of global strategy, Europe needs a strong and powerful China which would be a lever to deter the United States and Japan.
But it should be noted that there are still some sensitive issues that would drive a wedge into Sino-European relations if not properly settled.
First, China and the European Union harbour divergency on China's sovereignty.
In recent years, some European nations used the Taiwan question and the Tibet Autonomous Region to interfere in China's internal affairs.
The Taiwan question was used by some countries to demonize China.
Some countries rescinded on promises given to China and sold weapons to Taiwan, which put a pall over the relations between China and Europe.
Second, as China's entry into the World Trade Organization approaches, trade frictions between China and the European nations may unavoidably surface or even intensify.
Third, the cultural differences between the two sides may hinder the development of trade ties.
Finally, the EU member countries' failure to speak with one voice in the international community may also have a negative impact on the bilateral relations between the two sides.
The author is at the European Institute under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.
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