Meeting in Brussels
EU countries want to reduce dependence on China
Despite their different political and economic systems, the EU wants constructive and stable relations with China. photo
© Andy Wong/AP/dpa
You want to make yourself more independent from Beijing, but not isolate yourself. How does the EU intend to reduce its economic risks and at the same time cooperate with China?
Where it is necessary and appropriate, risks will be reduced and, for example, vulnerabilities in supply chains will be reduced, the heads of state and government agreed at a summit in Brussels. However, the European Union does not intend to decouple or isolate itself.
The reason for the positioning is that China is increasingly seen as less of a reliable partner due to its political developments in recent years. Sharp criticism has been leveled, for example, at the handling of human rights and the lack of distance from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. At the same time, however, the EU is aware that China is needed to tackle climate change and other global challenges. The EU is currently economically dependent on China for certain raw materials, batteries and pharmaceutical raw materials, among other things.
The EU declaration on China policy now states that the European Union and China, despite their different political and economic systems, have a common interest in constructive and stable relations. The European Union will continue to work with China to address global challenges.