In order to pursue the analysis of the EU-China ‘strategic partnership’, it is necessary to clarify some key issues: first, the idea of the EU as a strategic actor in the global arena, second, the ways in which the EU might become a power in the international system.The European Security Strategy indicated the role;Europe should play in shaping the global security. In doctrinal terms, the ESS identified the main threats to common security: primarily international terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, regional conflicts, and organized crime. This document was groundbreaking, as it was the first in the history of European integration to define a joint strategic vision guiding European foreign actions and allowed to better understand the position of the EU as a player on the international political scene. ESS clearly indicates the need to develop a strategic partnership with China.
The military dimension of European integration started to take shape in 1999, with the approval of the European Security and Defense Policy2. The EU decided to establish the conditions to play its full role on the international stage and to give it necessary means and capabilities to assume its responsibilities regarding a common European on security and defense policy.
Institutionally, the EU now has the structures enabling it to respond to decisions with military implications - its military structure, the necessary framing and decision - making mechanisms to address military matters. In terms of capabilities, the Headline Goal 2010 provided for the creation of European Rapid Response capabilities to engage in military peace-keeping and peace-imposition missions and to help manage crises.It mandated the formation of EV Battle Groups, which were declared fully operational in January 2007.
A strategic partnership means nothing if it is just a scrap of paper. It needs the whole-hearted commitment of both sides. The EU and China share a common understanding of the importance of maintaining international peace and stability. Such understanding constitutes an essential part of the partnership because each has found out that a multilateral framework is better than unilateralism.Due to time limit I will list only some of examples.
Peacekeeping operations are the best example of a common agenda for China and the EU and one of the most important areas of direct EU-China security cooperation.Firstly, both believe that UN peacekeeping operations are an important and effective means in maintaining international peace and security. Secondly, both hold that peacekeeping actions should be decided and authorized by the UNSC and comply with the UN Charter. Thirdly, both parties advocate, as a priority, cooperation with regional organizations in peacekeeping. Fourthly, both are active participants in peacekeeping operations.
China insists on conducting its peacekeeping operations on the basis of the three principles: a UN peacekeeping force could be deployed only with the approval of the country on whose territory it would function, it could not intervene in the internal affairs of that country, and it would be armed only for selfdefense.The EU does not insist on above mentioned principles and practices operations which were characterized mainly as not necessarily obtaining consent of all relevant parties to a conflict and authorizing the use of force to fulfill a mission. Even if there are some disparities between them, both China and the EU share some consensus on the significance of PKOs.
A fruitful cooperation takes place also in nuclear proliferation field. China’s arms control and nonproliferation policy is increasingly compliant with the international and multilateral conventions as China actively participates in the international efforts to stem and reverse their spread to both state and non-state actors. The central policy of the EU on the nonproliferation, known as ‘effective multilateralism’, is twofold. The EU not only supports and works with multilateral nonproliferation regimes, but also assists non-EU countries to implement their commitments under the international nonproliferation regimes to which they are party.
At the 2004 EU – China Summit, they signed the Joint Declaration on Non – Proliferation and Arms Control,which recognized the need to work together as ‘strategic partners in the area of disarmament and non – proliferation’.Both sides agreed that political and diplomatic measures and international cooperation are the best way to address proliferation issues. Cooperation on Iran’s nuclear issue was an example of an active strategic partnership between the EU and China. It is obvious that due to geopolitical reasons, each party will sometimes have different interests when faced with the same situation. For example, in the case of North Korea’s nuclear issue, although China and the EU share some basic objectives - opposing North Korea’s development of nuclear weapons, China insists on a peaceful solution through dialogue and negotiation, while the EU hopes for more pressure and sanctions from the international society, especially from China.
In the coming years, the pressure on the EU and China to take on more responsibility in military related security matters can be expected to grow. The EUChina security agenda will cover a broad set of joint consultations on peace-building, shared crisis risks, counter-terrorism, and other security issues of mutual interest. And whatever the EU will try to achieve on key global issues, it will need China’s consent or cooperation. These various common interests will provide fertile soil for a prospering EU-China relationship, consisting of cooperation programs, dialogues and projects.
However, there will be several issues that could hold back EU-China relations in coming years. First, the EU and China do not always share the same values and principles. Second, the EU’s thickening ties with China could damage its relations with its key global ally, the United States. The future of EU-China relations depends on the new vision of the leaderships from both sides. Both the EU and China need to show commitment and sincerity in overcoming differences and enhancing cooperation.
Relations between the EU and China have become a prominent feature of the international landscape in recent years. China is manifestly becoming more central to European interests, and vice versa. So the EU and China are looking at various ways of working together on issues that matter to both of them. Both China and the EU are reaching out beyond their respective regions and taking on greater roles in world affairs.They share a common understanding of the importance of maintaining international peace and stability. Such understanding constitutes an essential part of the partnership and it should be maintained and developed for the sake of mutual benefits. Pragmatism, flexibility and mutual understanding should be the key words.
