Belinsky Andrey Victorovich – Ph.D. in Political Sciences, Senior Researcher, INION RAS, Nadtochey Yury Ivanivich – Ph.D. in History, Senior Researcher, INION RAS
The article analyzes the key problems of the relationships between the European Union and the People's Republic of China at present time, in the context of a shifting global order. Main attention is paid to problems associated with the EU’s mixed approach towards China, highlighting the inconsistency of conflicting strategic guidelines and practical actions of the EU institutions and member states. While attempting to foster a constructive dialogue with China, they also strive to uphold European principles of human rights and democracy, urging Chinese authorities to comply with them. During a rather long, relatively prosperous period of growth and development of the world economy, its liberalization and globalization, the complex dialectic of trade and economic interests and humanitarian issues in relations between China and the European Union was obviously «retouched». However, in today’s context, the problems in relations between the PRC and the EU are increasingly coming to the fore in the form of rivalry and mutual claims among partners/competitors. The article also places emphasis on the influence of «third forces» in the EU–China relations. The precarious position of the EU is noted, marked by growing technological and, to some extent, resource dependence on China, alongside a similar reliance on the United States in military and military-technical domains. Russian factor is becoming the most important point in the complex system of relations between the US, EU and China, particularly amidst the escalation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. This factor significantly contributes to weakening the EU’s international standing, compelling European political elites to navigate between Beijing, Washington, and Moscow to safeguard their interests at both EU and national levels.
European Union, People’s Republic of China, Russia, United States, EU–China relations, human rights, transatlantic relations, Eurasia.
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