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The new forum is intended to discuss at China-related matters. Photo: Reuters

US and EU start new forum to discuss China issues, including human rights and security

  • Washington has been pushing other countries to take a tougher stance towards Beijing, but some observers question whether Europe can reach a consensus
  • Mechansim was announced following discussion between US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and his EU counterpart Josep Borrell

The United States and Europe have set up a new mechanism to discuss China-related matters, including human rights, security, and multilateralism.

The US announced the establishment of a “dedicated forum” to “discuss the full range of issues related to China” following a phone conversation between Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell on Friday.

The US has been pushing the EU and other countries to take a tougher stance towards Beijing, including pressure to exclude Chinese telecoms firms such as Huawei from 5G networks and ensure a “clean internet”,

The EU has also expressed increasing scepticism towards China in recent months, designating it a “systemic rival”, but some observers questioned whether it would be able to reach a consensus on how to handle Beijing.

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Wang Yingwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University, said the mechanism would also help the EU to push for action in areas such as stalled talks with Beijing over an investment agreement.

“They feel the urgency of dealing with China’s challenge in all aspects to ensure the continuity of Western leadership in the world,” said Wang.

The first talks to be held through the new mechanism are scheduled to be held next month – after the US presidential election.

If Joe Biden wins, then the US is likely to start repairing the damage Donald Trump has done to relations with its allies, Wang said, but it is unclear whether the two sides will be able to agree a united approach.

“The US strategic competition with China is focused on the Indo-Pacific region, and the EU itself finds it very difficult to reach a consensus within Europe, let alone to speak with one transatlantic voice ,” Wang said.

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Ding Chun, the director of the European Studies Centre at Fudan University, said Friday’s announcement was partly the result of US pressure on Brussels to act.

But Ding said China was unlikely to face a unified Western bloc like that which confronted the Soviet Union during the Cold War because the EU was unlikely to achieve its own objectives if it sides completely with the US.

“Of course, the EU has more in common economically, politically, historically and ideologically with the US. There is even a military alliance. But this does not mean Europe has no independent strategic vision or agenda,” Ding said.

“Occasionally on some issues they may join hands with the US against China, but it will not be a monolithic bloc, and the EU will also work with China on other issues.”

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: US and EU set up forum for joint China policymaking
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