China's (mis)perception of the European Union

Résumé du document

The People's Republic of China's (PRC) rise and arrival as a superpower on the international stage makes it more necessary to study China's vision of the world,and how it perceives the different actors with which it interacts daily. The European Union (EU) is one of these important
players, which engage China into dialogue and multilateral cooperation. In the framework of the
course “the EU as a global player”, it is interesting to see what China thinks of the EU, its role and
place in international politics, and of their bilateral relationship.

“The opening policy implemented since the end of the 1970s has started a learning process for both China and the outside world to learn from each other.” This essay aims to contribute to further this mutual understanding. In order to do so, we will use books and articles written both by Western and Chinese scholars, so as to see how both sides view the issue. What can be noted is that “European Studies is closely
related to the Chinese understandings of the international political situation and the general line of Chinese foreign policy.”

Therefore, studying the way China's perceptions of the EU may enable us to understand better China's view of international politics as a whole. In order to sum up the historical perceptions that China had of Europe, and later of the EU, we will mainly use two articles. The first is from Yu Shuo, retracing the “encounters” between Chinese and Europeans from the 16th century onwards. The second one is from David Shambaugh describing
Europe – China relations during the Cold War and beyond.

Extraits

[...] What can be noted is that “European Studies is closely related to the Chinese understandings of the international political situation and the general line of Chinese foreign policy.”2 Therefore, studying the way China's perceptions of the EU may enable us to better understand China's view of international politics as a whole. I. The evolution of China's perceptions of Europe In order to sum up the historical perceptions that China had of Europe, and later of the EU, we will mainly use two articles. [...]

[...] nouvel acteur des relations internationales, Études 2006/10, Tome 405, p. 307-318. - MÖLLER Kay, “Diplomatic Relations and Mutual Strategic Perceptions: China and the European Union”, The China Quarterly, No Special Issue: China and Europe since 1978: A European, Perspective (Mar., 2002), pp. 10-32 - SHAMBAUGH David, “China and Europe”, Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, Vol China's Foreign Relations (Jan., 1992), pp. 101-114 - YU Shuo., Aperçu transculturel des trois rencontres Europe-Chine, Revue du Mauss 2007/2, 30, p. [...]

[...] First of all, the human rights area. European countries and leaders often criticize China's violations of human rights. This is generally not well perceived in China. “Some Europe Watchers see these concerns as a part of a long-standing European desire to 'Westernize China' (Xi Some “claim that European criticisms derive from the fact that 'Europeans have historically formed sense of superiority, an attribute of the (concept of) European centralism'”.54 In this matter, China's opinion in then mostly negative. The same happens for the arms embargo issue: “many articles complain that it is a vestige of the “Cold War mentality” and the political pressure that the United States has put on the EU to maintain the embargo.”55 The only issue on which, “China is generally happy”, is the problem of Taiwan.56 However, the current position of the EU may not be enough for China, it appears quite possible that they may demand more ‘loyalty' from the EU over Taiwan.”57 In the light of these different issues on which China and the EU disagree, it appears that China stands on a tough position, which can be deemed more realistic than its actual perceptions of the EU. [...]

[...] This is why we may say that China perceives European divisions as an opportunity for itself while, however, trying not to jeopardize its overall 50 GRANT Charles, BARYSCH Katinka, Can Europe and China shape a New World Order?, op. cit JING Men, “Great Expectations, Complex Reality”, op. cit JING MEN, “Chinese perceptions of the European Union: A Review of leading Chinese journals”; op.cit GRANT Charles, BARYSCH Katinka, Can Europe and China shape a New World Order?, op. cit SHAMBAUGH David, “China eyes Europe in the World”, op. cit. p SHAMBAUGH David, “China eyes Europe in the World”, op. [...]

[...] cit ZHU Liqun, “Chinese perceptions of the EU and the China-Europe relationship”, op. cit ZHU Liqun, “Chinese perceptions of the EU and the China-Europe relationship”, op. cit JING Men, “Great Expectations, Complex Reality”, op. cit. Lucie BS Master “Politique Internationale” - EU as a global player 5 influence over European decisions. “China's leaders worry about the US's ability to sway EU policy”.50 This showed during the debate on the arms embargo. It “demonstrated to the Chinese that in China-EU relations, it is impossible to get rid of the shadow of the US.”51 Following this event, China had to acknowledge that in European eyes a good relationship with the US was the most important thing in the foreign policy area. [...]