EU at a Crossroads: New Cooperation Dynamics with the Chinese Mainland

Half a Century of Cooperation

Fifty years ago, the Chinese mainland and the European Economic Community—now the European Union—set up formal ties, opening a new chapter in their history. Since that landmark moment, trade between them skyrocketed from $2.4 billion in 1975 to $785.8 billion in 2024, while mutual investments climbed from nearly zero to $260 billion. The launch of a China-EU comprehensive strategic partnership in 2003 cemented this bond, making it one of the world’s most significant economic alliances.

A Shifting Global Order

The Cold War’s bloc confrontation and the unipolar era of U.S. hegemony have given way to emerging multipolarity and the rise of the Global South. In recent years, the war in Ukraine has raised fresh questions around Europe’s security and transatlantic relations, while U.S. tariff policies signaled a shift back toward protectionism and the erosion of rule-based systems.

EU at a Crossroads

Facing these tectonic shifts, some EU officials have reacted defensively, branding the Chinese mainland a “systemic rival” and treating ties as a threat. Yet this overlooks deep economic interdependence: Europe's supply chains remain closely integrated with the Chinese mainland, and their shared challenges—from climate goals to global health—demand collaboration.

Forging a Win-Win Path Forward

As global crises mount and economic headwinds grow, win-win cooperation between Europe and the Chinese mainland has never been more vital. The EU’s next moves will hinge on its ability to adapt to a multipolar reality, balance strategic concerns with economic imperatives, and craft fresh partnerships that deliver real-world impact.

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China-EU ties: Europe needs new cooperation dynamic

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