On January 21, 2025, the European Studies Centre hosted a seminar featuring Dr Lucie Qian Xia, Lecturer at the Department of Politics and International Relations, and Dr Dimitar Bechev, Lecturer at the Oxford School of Global and Area Studies, University of Oxford. The discussion was chaired by Othon Anastasakis, Director of the European Studies Centre. The seminar explored the historical, theoretical, and contemporary dimensions of EU-China relations, offering valuable insights into how these two major powers navigate their shared interests and diverging priorities.
EU-China relations: A historical perspective
The roots of EU-China relations date back to 1975, during the height of the Cold War. Xia emphasized that this relationship has always been shaped by a network of institutions, despite the presence of opposing forces. Over the decades, it has evolved into a multifaceted dynamic, as encapsulated by the European Council’s 2019 strategic outlook, which frames China as simultaneously a partner, competitor, and systemic rival. This tripartite characterization reflects the inherent complexity that defines EU-China relations.
China, for its part, has consistently viewed the EU as a major strategic partner, as evidenced by its policy papers in 2003, 2014, and 2018. However, a significant gap in perception persists. While China’s rapid economic rise—driven by Deng Xiaoping’s “reform and opening” policies—has reshaped the global economic order, the EU has struggled to reconcile its economic interdependence with China with growing concerns over China’s geopolitical ambitions. This tension lies at the heart of EU-China relations.
EU-China relations: A historical perspective
The roots of EU-China relations date back to 1975, during the height of the Cold War. Xia emphasized that this relationship has always been shaped by a network of institutions, despite the presence of opposing forces. Over the decades, it has evolved into a multifaceted dynamic, as encapsulated by the European Council’s 2019 strategic outlook, which frames China as simultaneously a partner, competitor, and systemic rival. This tripartite characterization reflects the inherent complexity that defines EU-China relations.
China, for its part, has consistently viewed the EU as a major strategic partner, as evidenced by its policy papers in 2003, 2014, and 2018. However, a significant gap in perception persists. While China’s rapid economic rise—driven by Deng Xiaoping’s “reform and opening” policies—has reshaped the global economic order, the EU has struggled to reconcile its economic interdependence with China with growing concerns over China’s geopolitical ambitions. This tension lies at the heart of EU-China relations.
