New report: ‘Political values in Europe-China relations’
The European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC) has launched a new report on the role political values play in the Europe-China relations, suggesting that three factors are of particular importance. During 2018, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) has been spearheading the editorial work and this report is the fourth in this series.
The European Union (EU) has committed itself to promoting not only human rights but also democracy and the rule of law. On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights at the Palais Chaillot in Paris, the European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC) has published a new report investigating the role of political values in Europe-China relations.
Through case studies conducted by China experts from seventeen leading European research institutions from across the continent, they have compared the role political values play in the foreign policies of European states and the EU toward the most powerful autocracy in the world, the People’s Republic of China.
In essence, the results display four different patterns of behavior among European countries: vocal and active; active and discreet; passive; and passive and potentially counteractive. The findings of the report suggests that three factors are of particular importance to the variety in European approaches: historical legacy, economic relations with China and Chinese pressure. The report also highlights the diverging views and approaches within Europe on the defence of political values in relation to China.
The report will launch on December 6 at the Egmont Palace in Brussels and to be presented at the European Commission, Egmont Royal Institute, European External Action Service and Young China Watchers, Brussels Chapter.
ETNC publishes an annual report reviewing the state of Europe-China relations focusing on one specific topic each year. During 2018, the Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) has been spearheading the editorial work and this report is the fourth in this series.
About ETNC: The European Think-tank Network on China (ETNC) is a gathering of China experts from a selection of European policy research institutes. It is devoted to the study of Chinese foreign policy and EU-China relations and facilitates regular exchanges among participating researchers.