What role will the EU play in China?

An article on the socio-political implications of the signing of an agreement by Italy to join China's 'Belt and Road' plan.

Photo (https://unsplash.com/photos/DgnTgj0szVg)

A new controversy has erupted in Europe after Italy signed an agreement for China's land and road project as the first developed economy. During a visit to Rome by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2019, 29 agreements worth about 2.5 billion euros were approved.

Italy's decision has raised concerns among its colleagues in Europe and the United States. Even former Italian Prime Minister Paulo Gentiloni has said that participating in Beijing's global infrastructure investment program is a sign of "stupidity", but he also acknowledged that "the agreements that have been signed in Italy do not seem far-fetched from an economic point of view."

It is a matter of great concern that Italy has ratified the agreement at a time when the European Union is becoming aware of China's growing political and insistent role on the world stage. The European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs, in their March 12 "Europe-China Strategic Outlook", said: "There is a growing consensus in Europe that the balance between the challenges and opportunities presented by China is changing." In fact, Europe now views China as an economic and political rival.

Restructuring existing strategic partnerships with China in such a way that European and Chinese companies will have an open field and will not ignore policies on key political issues such as human rights is not as easy as it may seem. During the period of China's progress, many member nations of Europe, especially the larger nations, had established their personal relations with this country.

For example, there are frequent government consultations between Germany and China. The country is an important trading partner for Berlin in terms of world trade. In 2018, the two countries exchanged goods and services worth 200 billion euros. In all these circumstances, it is difficult for them to reach the government in Beijing compared to the big nations and expect to get a share of China's profits, but it is wrong to criticize a small nation.

As a result, the 16 + 1 plan to increase economic cooperation came into being, including 11 smaller European countries, 5 Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Sage Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Macedonia, Montegro, Poland, Ruman). , Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia) and China.

Not only does this raise eyebrows in Brussels, but there are also fears that China will swallow the country's major economic assets and thereby create an adverse strategic influence in Europe. A good example of this is Greece, where China has acquired a large stake in the country's port of Perevs. Many in Brussels fear that China is dividing Europe. Liberal MP Guy Verhoffstadt has advised caution against the "divide and rule" policy.

But it is easy to blame Italy alone or the 11 members of the 16 + 1 scheme. In fact, China's development stories and their opportunities in the past have fascinated the whole of Europe. The collective belief that China will automatically embrace Western democracy when it becomes rich is a matter of optimism. So it’s time for Europe to learn a little ‘tai chi’ i.e. the art of fighting without a fight or the art of winning when it comes to relations with China. Of course, this also includes not losing one's own stability.

While there is disagreement among Italy's leading governments over how to handle China, the Italian people have no desire to become another Africa or another Greece. (I mean, don't be a victim of China's new debt-imperialism).

As a consumer, China has no reason to fear the need for European markets and Europe as the endpoint for many of their Silk Roads. Of course, Europe may not be the rabbit in front of the snake, as the saying goes.

Individual nations have no objection to maintaining bilateral relations with China unless Europe builds a mechanism of cooperation on issues such as security and sovereignty. Europe needs to protect its weak infrastructure. Just as Chinese companies can seize opportunities and markets in Europe, European companies must be able to seize opportunities and markets in China.

As stated by the Commission and the High Representative in their Europe-China Strategic Outlook, China's challenge could also be an opportunity to build a new mechanism of cooperation in a structure that does not require full unity for Europe. They have often found themselves in a quandary due to Europe’s maximum demands, which is not conducive to them. The member nations that have made profits from the huge Chinese market should now help bring other nations into the stream.

As long as the member states maintain dialogue with each other and ensure that European nations are not discriminated against through China or that China is used as a tool in internal conflicts in Europe, the diversity of history and interests between China and the member states can be used for Europe's progress. If this becomes clear, trade and cooperation with China will be a success for everyone. Ahead of the April 9 summit between the European Union and China, Europe and Italy should take note of the statement of a Chinese philosopher, Su Tzu: French President Emmanuel Macro also invited German Prime Minister Angela Merkel and European Union President Jean-Claude Juncker to a recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.