China and Europe may see political gulf widen in 2020, survey finds
- Some 59 per cent of experts polled say relations will worsen this year, according to Mercator Institute for China Studies
- But economic forecast is better, with more than half expecting ties to remain stable
China and European countries are expected to face another year of political struggle in 2020, according to a think tank in Berlin.
Although Beijing and the European Union may cooperate on the economy, their political differences could widen this year, the Mercator Institute for China Studies said on Tuesday.
The institute based the forecast on a survey of 150 China specialists from think tanks, government, industry and society in Europe.
It found that 59 per cent of respondents believed political relations between Europe and China would worsen this year – with 17 per cent saying they would “deteriorate”, and 42 per cent expecting ties to “slightly deteriorate”.
Those surveyed expected the key factor behind rising tensions to be politically motivated retaliation by Beijing against European governments or companies. That ranked above other factors, such as restricted access to the Chinese market or human rights violations.
