EU to discuss deepening rivalry with China at top-level meetings: diplomats
- ‘More alienation’ and ‘more frictions’ revealed ahead of bloc’s gatherings of foreign ministers and national leaders next week
- EU summits are aimed at aligning members on broad China policy, even as some seek stronger bilateral ties with Beijing
Top European Union leaders and diplomats will confirm next week that the bloc’s rivalry with China has deepened over the past 12 months, during their first in-depth talks on the matter since before the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The EU’s 27 foreign ministers will meet in Luxembourg on Monday, and the bloc’s national leaders in Brussels on Thursday, for what diplomats described as a “stocktaking exercise” on its relationship with Beijing.
They are expected to stand by their 2019 designation of China as a partner, competitor, and systemic rival, sometimes referred to as the “triptych” policy.
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However, the formula is being “recalibrated” in line with a broad deterioration in ties with China, with more emphasis being placed on the rivalry, according to multiple officials and diplomats familiar with the situation.
“Unless there is a very significant change of course by Beijing - I am now referring to Russia and Taiwan for example - I don’t foresee a radical change in the EU-China relationship in the near future,” Michael Clauss, Germany’s Ambassador to the EU and its former envoy in China said at an event in Brussels on Thursday.
“But if current trends prevail, which I see as most likely, we will witness more alienation and more frictions,” he added.