Opinion | In the emerging world order, Europe and China’s interests align

Together, Brussels and Beijing can reshape global power into a balance where Europe matters and China gains legitimacy as a responsible power

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A China-Europe goods train departs from Tongjiang, Heilongjiang province, on December 9, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 8:30pm, 7 Mar 2026

The Iran war has declared the death of the old global order. Europe wasn’t even consulted before Washington struck Iran alongside Israel – proof the continent is trapped between moral outrage and geopolitical irrelevance. If Europe wants to matter, it must shift its gaze eastwards, redefining China not as a binary adversary but as a balancing power. This is the path from Atlantic dependence to Eurasian relevance.

For China, too, this moment is pivotal. US President Donald Trump has launched wars in Venezuela and Iran, turning these into leverage to consolidate US advantage and block China’s efforts to expand trade and influence – even as he courts Beijing. China has announced an economic growth target of 4.5-5 per cent, its slowest in decades. External pressure and internal strain converge, making credible partnerships abroad more vital than ever.

Pragmatic engagement, not moral posturing, is the only way Europe can regain relevance. For China, a stronger Europe offers Beijing a credible partner in both the strategic and economic arenas. Resilience for Europe and credibility for China are complementary goals: Europe cannot afford paralysis; China cannot afford mistrust. Together, they can reshape global power into a balance where Europe matters and China gains legitimacy as a responsible power.

First, Europe and China cannot afford to let ambiguity define relations. Unless differences are managed pragmatically, Europe will remain trapped in suspicion and China will remain mistrusted.

Europe’s greatest frustration with Beijing is its stance on the Ukraine war. China has neither condemned nor endorsed Russia’s invasion. For Europe, this undermines its moral and security stance. Ambiguity feeds distrust and locks Brussels into suspicion rather than strategy, eroding Europe’s resilience.

Beijing, however, sees ambiguity as pragmatic – avoiding direct alignment with Moscow while refusing to echo Western condemnation. EU member Hungary takes a similar line; Trump’s ceasefire plan also reflected ambiguity. To China, Europe’s outrage is hypocritical, given its responses to US assaults on sovereignty in Venezuela and Iran. Europe cannot excuse its ambiguity while demanding absolute clarity from China.

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Together, Brussels and Beijing can reshape global power into a balance where Europe matters and China gains legitimacy as a responsible power

Together, Brussels and Beijing can reshape global power into a balance where Europe matters and China gains legitimacy as a responsible power