This year marks half a century of formal diplomatic relations between China and the European Union as well as the 25th anniversary of the founding of the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China. In this, the first of a series of reports examining ties between the two powers, Shi Jiangtao looks at the influence the United States has on the relationship.
But while Beijing’s conciliatory overtures to Brussels are distinct from its adversarial stance towards Washington, a long-awaited reset in China-EU ties remains largely out of reach.
In the absence of substantive shifts in strategic posture from either side, observers warn of missed opportunities to recalibrate the partnership for this year’s landmark 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations.
Hopes were initially high for this year’s China-EU summit, scheduled for Beijing on Thursday, particularly as surging trade and geopolitical tensions forced the event’s cancellation last year.
