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Opinion | Why China and the EU could emerge as stronger partners in 2024
- The recent EU-China summit in Beijing was part of efforts to keep the bilateral relationship from degrading further into conflict and discord
- Brussels must adjust its approach to China and focus on addressing actual harms rather than perceived ones that damage its image and legal standing
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Politics, much like history, is witness to an enduring struggle between continuity and change. The EU-China summit was a noteworthy representation of this constant clash. It served as a pivotal juncture where both parties decisively choose change.
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Beyond conventional negotiations, and despite pessimistic evaluations, the summit signified a mutual shift in perspective. There has been a strategic and deliberate move towards fostering deeper mutual understanding.
Fundamentally, the meeting represented an effort to prevent a descent into conflict. Strategic dialogues play a central role in alleviating tensions, reflecting a purposeful endeavour to both manage and mitigate potential difficulties. In a move towards pure realpolitik, the focus has transitioned from customary symbolic disputes over ideological subtleties and strategic posturing to core issues such as economic imbalances, geopolitical implications and trade relations.
The uncertainty over the ultimate success of these endeavours prompts the question of whether substantial change will truly materialise over time. Nevertheless, there is a glimmer of hope in what has been on display. It seems that, on this occasion, Chinese and European leaders allocated political capital to critical issues in a strategic manner.
The European Union’s achievement can be examined from a threefold perspective. First, the EU has advanced as an independent geopolitical actor, at last projecting a unified voice in engagements with China.
In the pursuit of influence, the EU leadership grapples with the understanding that, as an international organisation, it differs fundamentally from a single country. Despite this complexity, the EU has showcased its capability to negotiate and interact.
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