The 13th round of the China-European Union (EU) High-Level Strategic Dialogue was held at the EU headquarters in Brussels, where Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Europe to adopt a truly objective and rational understanding of China and pursue a more positive and pragmatic policy. Wang stated that there is no fundamental conflict of interest between the two sides, but rather they share a wide range of common interests.[i]
EU-China relations have recently been going through a period of strategic competition and geopolitical uncertainties. This year, however, EU-China economic and diplomatic ties have been reshaped. China’s contacts with other EU countries, notably the meetings between Wang Yi and Kaja Kallas, are important for managing tensions such as anti-dumping and maintaining cooperation. Thus, communication channels were kept open and cooperation was at the center.
Global actors are increasing consultation and dialogue on how to shape a new direction for sustainable development and order amid profound changes. Jiang Feng, Professor of European Studies at Shanghai University of International Studies and President of the Shanghai Association for Regional and Country Studies, told the Global Times that China and the EU play particularly important roles in this process, as both sides share a desire to maintain global stability and advance multilateralism.[ii]
China and the EU should strengthen solidarity and coordination and act more decisively, Wang said, adding that both sides should respect each other’s core interests, enhance understanding and mutual trust, and contribute to each other’s success.[iii] Moreover, this dialogue supports the EU’s vision of strategic autonomy. This is because the EU also uses this vision in the field of security and defense as a multilateral foreign policy tool. To this end, the EU does not fully adhere to the United States’ (US) security approach, but engages in joint projects and negotiations with countries such as China that support opening up to the outside world. The cooperation between China and the EU provides a counterbalance to the tariffs imposed by the US and opens up new opportunities for cooperation in areas such as the diversification of development projects in Africa.
At a time when the US-China rivalry continues economically and politically, the EU’s support and cooperation with China in certain areas has led to the emergence of a policy of balance. While the EU maintains diplomatic and trade relations with both China and the US, China’s partnerships with the EU in the Western Bloc create diplomatic norms in which geopolitical power balances are defended through multilateralism and open communication. The EU’s mission of strategic autonomy also supports its foreign policy independence and makes it more prominent as a global actor.
In a period of increasing global uncertainty, regional conflicts and economic rivalries, EU-China relations not only manifest themselves in the commercial sphere but also in the process of the formation of a multipolar world order. The 13th EU-China High-Level Strategic Dialogue has ensured a balancing and sustainable continuation of bilateral relations and has been a tool for determining the future of the regions. Moreover, within the framework of the concept of strategic autonomy, the EU envisages a more independent line in its relations with China without being influenced by actors such as the US. Because even though the US sees China as a rival and wants to form a bloc against it, the EU aims to manage this competition by maintaining its economic and technological ties with China. This interest-oriented approach of the EU opens the door to multifaceted cooperation with China. This will increase joint investment and development initiatives in the Global South and reshape global competition.
Through strategic dialogues, China and the EU have discussed building mutual trust, avoiding conflict and thus pursuing mutual interests. This year’s strategic dialogue plays an important role not only for the future of the two regions, but also for global competition and the still changing world order.
These strategic dialogues will bring a new dimension to the rivalries in the security and economic spheres, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. China has established a diplomatic balance against the growing US presence in the region through its relations with Europe. EU-China relations offer an alternative to the blocs emerging in the Asia-Pacific region in the context of strategic dialogue.
The parties do not engage in direct competition but shape their soft power policies through certain norms. As the EU increases its contacts with countries such as Japan and South Korea, China will continue to integrate its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects into the region. In the long run, norms shaped by this soft power will lead to a more competitive environment. In this case, the parties should adopt a perspective of balance and coexistence instead of either cooperation or competition by developing joint infrastructure and development projects in Africa. Thus, a long-term partnership can be sustained with a win-win logic.
Berra KIZILYAZI
[i] “‘China is not US’: Chinese FM calls on Europe to adopt pragmatic, rational view on China at China-EU strategic dialogue”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337534.shtml, (Accessed: 03.07.2025)
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] “China, EU pledge to uphold multilateralism, enhance cooperation”, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202507/1337509.shtml, (Accessed: 03.07.2025).