Toward a Rebalance in the EU’s Relations with China--A Matter of Capabilities and Political Will to Act

Toward a Rebalance in the EU’s Relations with China--A Matter of Capabilities and Political Will to Act

On February 24, 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in the heart of Europe is likely to fundamentally alter the post-Cold War era. The war has become a“global issue”, and a direct challenge to the international security order.1 While Russia now poses the primary security threat to Europe’s interests, rebalancing relations with China remains a significant challenge for Brussels. In light of the Russia-China friendship of“no limits”, the European Union (EU) is confronted with a more difficult geopolitical reality that requires coherence and determined action to protect its interests.2 Perceptions of China in Brussels have gradually shifted from embracing it as an opportunity for the bloc’s economic growth, to perceiving it as a threat undermining its unity and democratic governance.