Chinese Journal of European Studies No.5 ,2009

ARTICLES

Special Issue on the Sixty Years of China-Europe Relations

In this volume, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China, we extend our special invitation to Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi, Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Zhijun and 5 former ambassadors to the EU and several European countries, namely, Mr. Guan Chengyuan, member of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and former ambassador to Belgium and the EU, Mr. Ma Zhengang, Director of China Institute of International Studies and former ambassador to the UK, Mr. Mei Zhaorong, former ambassador to Germany, Mr. Wu Jianmin, Professor of China Foreign Affairs University and former ambassador to France, and Mr. Ding Yuanhong, former ambassador to the EU, to address and comment on China-Europe relations.

1  Address by Foreign Minister

YANG Jiechi

Through the course of 60 years, China-Europe relations started from relations between China and individual European countries and  have survived trials and hardships vigorously. Substantial progress has been achieved in deepening political dialogues, coordinating efforts on international affairs, broadening cooperation in various fields and in facilitating non-governmental exchanges. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the then European Economic Community in 1975, high-level visits have been exchanged frequently, political dialogue and consultation mechanisms  improved, close communication and coordination on a wide range of significant international issues  maintained and bilateral relations  transformed from a constructive partnership into a comprehensive strategic partnership with its contents increasingly substantiated and mutual trust strengthened. An all-dimensional, widely-ranged and multi-level cooperation framework has thus been formed. The influence of China-Europe relations over the future international pattern and the trend of multi-polarization has attracted worldwide attention. China remains consistent in confidently treating China-Europe relations with a strategic and long-term insight and never wavers in the direction of developing its bilateral relations with Europe. China consistently supports the European integration, respects Europe's strategic choice based on its own characteristics and welcomes its greater constructive role in international affairs. China believes that developing China-Europe relations not only serves the interests of both sides, but also is beneficial to the people of the entire international community. In the 60 years of relations, both China and Europe have achieved remarkable success and set up win-win cooperation in almost every field. However, it is natural that both sides have different or even conflicting views on some issues, given their differences in ideology, social system, historical and cultural tradition and the level of economic development. Historically, it has been proven that if both sides remain committed to the principles of mutual respect and mutual trust, consultation on an equal basis and seeking common ground while reserving differences, bilateral relations between both sides shall develop soundly and steadily. China-Europe relations have now regained momentum for rapid progress. The 12th EU-China Summit, the highest-level forum for political dialogue guiding China-Europe relations, will undoubtedly further vitalize the development of bilateral relations. As one important component of China-Europe cultural and people-to-people exchanges, academic exchanges have played an indispensable role in enhancing mutual understandings, as well as promoting official political dialogue and policy coordination. For many years, the Institute of European Studies of CASS has made great contributions in this respect and the publication of the special issue on China-Europe relations is beneficial to the academic exchanges between both sides.

3  Opening a New Phase of China-Europe Relations

ZHANG  Zhijun, Deputy Foreign Minister

The friendly relations between China and Europe are long-standing and well-established. The founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949 profoundly transformed China's position in the international community and brought China-Europe relations into a new historical period. After 60 years of development, fruitful progress has been made in bilateral relations. Starting from bilateral cooperation between China and several individual European states, China-Europe relations have gradually grown into a comprehensive strategic partnership, which is the natural result of  joint efforts and the development of international relations in a changing world pattern. Top-level contacts and communications between China and Europe have become increasingly frequent, with dialogue and cooperation conducted in unprecedented depth and breadth in the fields of politics, economy, trade, science, culture and education. Exchanges by the parliaments, parties, and non-governmental organizations between both sides have also developed rapidly. It has been historically proven that promoting China-Europe relations not only serves the interests of both sides, but also is beneficial to world peace and development. It is true that conflicts and even setbacks still exist in China-Europe relations, including, in particular, Europe's interference with China's internal affairs such as the Tibet issue and human rights. In addition, many economic and trade frictions were caused by Europe, who has been reluctant to lift the ban on arms sales to China and to grant China full market economy status. However, China has consistently approached these issues from a strategic perspective and  thus safeguarded the steady development of its  relations with Europe. The 60 years of China-Europe relations have provided a valuable experience for the development of harmonious and friendly relations among countries of different social systems and development levels. In the context of the complicated and constantly changing international situations, in the face of the historical opportunity provided by the world multi-polarity and economic globalization and  in confronting challenges posed by various global issues, it is necessary for both China and Europe to consider how to substantiate the strategic contents of their bilateral relations, to surpass barriers of different ideologies and development models, to pursue a mutually benefitial and win-win approach and to strengthen coordination in international affairs. China always attaches importance to developing China-Europe relations. Regardless of situational changes in the international arena, China is willing to work together with Europe to build China-Europe relations into a model for the harmonious coexistence and friendly relations among countries with different culture, social systems and development models. If both sides share a strategic and long-term vision, adhere to the principles of equality, mutual respect, reciprocity and win-win cooperation, China-Europe relations shall certainly progress further and contribute more to the well-being of both the people of China and Europe and to the peace, stability and development of the world.

7  A Random Thought on the Sixty Years of China-Europe Relations

GUAN Chengyuan

This article first makes an overall review of the course of China-Europe relations from the founding of the People's Republic of China, when few contacts existed between both sides, until the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership. As two world powers increasingly gaining strength, propelled by common, realistic and long-standing interests, China and Europe are interdependent upon each other both politically and economically  and  cooperating in a wide range of areas. It is no doubt that disagreements and frictions are unavoidable in China-Europe relations due to differences in political system, ideology, cultural and historical background, as well as in economic and social development level. The most critical issue lies in what kind of attitude and approach to be adopted to handle those problems. Through dialogue and consultation in the spirit of equality and mutual respect, political understandings can certainly be expanded and economic conflicts alleviated. Because of the hard work by both sides in achieving the 60 years of relations, the relationship between China and Europe must be treasured and cherished.

12  An Objective Comment on China-Europe Relations

MA Zhengang

Turns and twists have taken place in China-Europe relations in recent years. Negative factors against China became more obvious at both the level of the EU and a few individual European states and  retrogression even emerged in the bilateral relations, as the EU persisted in issues like banning arm sales to China and refusing China full market economy status, which explains the lagging-behind of China-Europe relations compared with those between China and other world powers. Nevertheless, in fact, the fundamental determinants of China-Europe bilateral relations see no concrete changes and positive factors still play a key role. Of course, differences and disagreements always exist, chiefly concerning social systems, ideologies, several international issues and specific problems critical to the interests of both parties. It is vital for both sides to be prudent and dispassionate, to consider the bilateral relations from an overall perspective and to take enduring efforts to properly handle disagreements. A good comprehensive strategic partnership is beneficial not only to the Chinese and European people but also to the people of the world.

18  A Further Understanding of China-Europe Relations

MEI Zhaorong

After reviewing the three stages of China-Europe relations, the author points out the major manifestations of and the root causes for the profound changes in the EU's policy towards China, which were marked by the EU's 6th Policy Paper on China in 2006, by anti-China activities centered around the Tibet issue and the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 and by a "Power-audit of China-EU Relations" promulgated by the European Council of Foreign Relations in 2009. The changing attitude of the EU is, in essence, a continuation of its dual character in its policy towards China and the development of the negative side of this dual character. It is therefore necessary for us to reevaluate the near prospect of European integration as well as the role and position of the EU in order to understand its changing policies towards China. In the meantime, we should continue to recognize the many common interests shared between China and Europe. To ensure the steady development of China-Europe relations, a long-term vision and global insight must be adopted, the core interests and major concerns of both sides respected, international rules including mutual respect, equality, mutual benefit and non-interference with internal affairs of other countries observed and the Cold-War thinking abandoned.

23  China's Diplomacy and Relations with Europe

WU Jianmin

As one important component of China's diplomacy, China-Europe relations are worthy of reflections. China's diplomacy since 1949 can be divided into three stages, during which the development and transformation of China-Europe relations has kept pace with the development of China's diplomacy. Unlike bilateral relations between China and Europe in the Cold War period, determined principally by the threat posed by the Soviet Union and characterized by the mutually beneficial economic and trade cooperation, the present China-Europe relations are mainly driven by both parties' support for multilateralism, by their common respect for cultural diversity and by a high degree of complementarity in trade. In the future, China and Europe can expand and deepen their relations especially in two aspects: new revolutions in the fields of energy, industry and lifestyle and addressing the common challenges posed by climate change, terrorism, epidemics and transnational crimes. Of course, while adopting an optimistic approach towards our bilateral relations, we must try to settle existing divergences, conflicts and problems through dialogues based on equality and mutual respect, which is of great significance to the future development of China-Europe relations.

29  China-Europe Relations after the Test of Time

DING Yuanhong

Relations with Europe are always one important part of China's diplomacy, which, compared with China's relationships with other big powers, have developed relatively smoothly. Although troubles and setbacks always exist, speaking dispassionately and objectively, the prospect of the bilateral relationship between China and Europe is promising. The reason for this lies in the fact that China always pursues a friendly policy towards Europe, that there is no fundamental conflict of interests between both sides, that both sides need each other in international affairs and that China and Europe are economically highly complementary. However, a series of circumstances, including the relative decline of developed countries as a result of the current financial and economic crisis and the slowdown of the European integration process, have exerted a certain negative effect on China and Europe's bilateral relations, which is shown particularly in instances of some Europeans' groundless accusation of and unprovoked attacks on China. Although hostility towards China does not constitute the mainstream in Europe, enough attention to this tendency must be given by all those who are concerned over China-Europe relations. As two big powers that can exert great influences in the world, China and the EU should and shall maintain friendly relationships both at present and in the future.

34  The 60 Years of China-Europe Relations

ZHOU Hong

This paper makes a comprehensive review of the evolution of the political and economic relations between China and the EC/EU along with its Member States from 1949 to 2009, analyzing the progress achieved by both sides and the remaining issues. The author holds the 60 years of the development of China-Europe relations is a witness to, and at the same time reflects, both the transformation of the world pattern as well as the profound changes undertaken within China and Europe, the two intrinsically different world powers. Deepened and broadened contacts between China and Europe shall benefit both sides, who have together taken a head start in developing mechanisms and methods of communication. Whether China-Europe relations can develop smoothly in the next 60 years depends on whether both sides can recognize the degree of dependence and complementarity of each other, tolerate differences in history and culture, learn from each other's success and cooperate in the spirit of equality and mutual benefit through mechanisms established and under construction.

52  The Future for Europe Is Not Bleak

QIU Yuanlun

This paper makes a comparison and analysis of the economic models of Europe, the US and China. It points out that progress in the European economy and society can still be achieved by way of its own reforms and unification, despite the European model facing both internal and external challenges. The author analyzes Europeans' concern over China's rise and emphasizes that the EU is still an indispensable power "of stability", "of balance" and "of example". A series of "bail-out" measures and economic stimulus plans have taken initial effect, indicating that the future for the EU is not bleak at all.

59  China and Europe: "Constructive Engagement" Needed

FENG Zhongping

This article discusses the significance of China-Europe ties to China and the root causes for the ups and downs of this bilateral relationship in the last few years. It also offers some suggestions to both sides for developing their future relations. It argues that China has always taken seriously and attached great importance to the China-EU strategic partnership. However, the growing competition between China and Europe in the economic and trade areas has been the genuine cause for the increased conflicts between the two powers. Therefore, it is pivotal for both parties to work on a balanced win-win relationship. Meanwhile, as to Europe and China respectively, Europe needs to adopt a constructive approach to address existing problems in its bilateral trade with China, whereas China, for its part, should always be aware of the significant role of economic interests in China-Europe relations and work for a close partnership with Europe on issues like climate change, the reform of international institutions, and etc.

68  Different Expectations Causing Discord in China-Europe Relations

DING Yifan

The twists and turns in the relations between China and the EU in recent years can be attributed to failed strategic expectations by both sides towards each other. When the EU found that China was not on the track of change as they wished, its disappointment led to a series of events which touched upon China's fundamental interests. In addition, the premise on which the EU formulates its China policy consists of enormous problems, which is due to the "flaws" in its decision-making mechanism. This makes the EU's expectations come to nothing. In the future, though China will still regard the EU as one of its most important partners, conflicts between both sides will become more obvious thanks to a wide range of reasons. Only if both sides recognize the disparities between reality and expectations and handle bilateral relations more rationally and pragmatically instead of striving to "transform" the other, can China-Europe relations be developed more "normally".

77  An Analysis of the Factor of Idea in China-Europe Relations

TIAN Dewen

The factor of idea has exerted important influences in the 60 years of China-Europe relations after the establishment of the PRC. Great changes have taken place in the worldview and international view of China and Europe, in the two powers' views towards each other, as well as in the transformation of the world pattern and the positions of China and Europe in the world. This paper first makes a general interpretation of the development process of the bilateral relations between China and Europe from the point of view of ideas. It then discusses the features of the distinctive ideas of both China and Europe as international players and further analyzes the future path of the idea for the healthy development of bilateral relations. This paper holds that China and Europe can seek common ground while reserving differences, advance win-win cooperation and play active roles in constructing a harmonious world on the condition that a relationship of genuinely mutual respect can be established at the level of ideas.

86  Political Implications of the European Parliament's Resolutions on Tibet

FANG Lexian

The European Parliament (EP) frequently passed resolutions on the Tibet issue on the pretext of protecting human rights. After the 3/14 riots in Lhasa in 2008, the EP shows more obvious partiality for Dalai Lama and becomes critical of China's policy towards Tibet. From its recent resolutions on Tibet, it can be seen that the EP's intention to internationalize the Tibet issue becomes stronger and more straightforward. The negative impact of this on the political relationship between China and Europe cannot be ignored. It is thus of relevance to discuss the EP's anti-China position on the Tibet issue and the motivations behind it.

99  Chinese Public View towards the EU in 2008

ZHOU Hong  LIU Zuokui  FAN Yongpeng

The Research Group of the Institute of European Studies (IES) of CASS conducted successive surveys in Beijing, Shanghai, Fujian, Guizhou, Hubei, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, Inner Mongolia and Shanxi in the end of 2008 after its 2007 survey of "Chinese People's Perception of the EU and China-EU Relations". A total of 3000 copies of questionnaire were distributed and 2677 recovered, the result of which shows the following features in the Chinese public view towards the EU. Firstly, the respondents still possess an insufficient knowledge of the EU. Secondly, although China and the EU have long been devoted to establishing a comprehensive strategic partnership, economic and trade relations are still considered the most important factor in the bilateral relations.  Thirdly, despite a lack of general understanding of the EU, the Chinese people are relatively well aware of the contradictions between China and the EU, especially  the EU's embargo on arms sales to China,  its refusal to grant China full market economy status,  issues concerning environment and energy, trade disputes between both sides and differences in culture and fundamental values. Fourthly, in the Chinese public's view, the international influence of the EU is lower than that of  the US, but higher than China, Russia  and Japan. Fifthly, the Chinese people still hold a good will to the EU, in spite of a series of disputes between the EU and China in 2008. However, the percentage of pessimistic remarks on bilateral relations between China and Europe is higher than that in 2007. Sixthly, the top four European countries that the Chinese people feel most friendly to China are Denmark, Sweden, the UK and Germany, with France ranked the 6th. Seventhly, the respondents' perception of Europe varies somewhat according to their age, education, profession and income, while differences in gender and geographical area have little influence.