China-US Relations & China-EU Relations

Question 1

What are the 10 most relevant points from the reading “US–China relations in the era of Xi and Trump: Implications for Europe” ?

Answer 1

1. Evolution of Relationships: The text explores the changing dynamics between the EU, major European states, the US, and China, emphasizing how these relationships have evolved over time.
2. Cooperation and Contention: It notes that in the early 21st century, there were elements of both cooperation and contention in China-US relations. Both parties engaged in strategic dialogues and relied on economic interdependence to navigate disagreements.
3. Complementary Role of Europe: Europe was seen as playing a complementary role in the relationship between China and the US. China primarily engaged with the US, occasionally looking to Europe as a counterweight to America on specific concerns.
4. Shift in Power Dynamics: The text highlights that relationships a decade later are more uncertain and relatively more equal. The US-China dynamic is considered the most significant among the three parties.
5. Trump’s “America First” Approach: During Trump’s presidency, the US adopted an “America First” approach, prioritizing economic and military dominance. This approach challenged traditional notions of the US as a global state.
6. Xi’s Vision for China: President Xi Jinping’s leadership marked China’s resurgence, emphasizing concepts like the “great revival” and positioning China as a responsible great power with a leading role in global affairs.
7. Deterioration of US-China Relations: Factors contributing to the deteriorating US-China relations include shifts in relative power, advancements in technology, and concerns over intellectual property. High-tech development, especially China’s “Made in China 2025” initiative, is a major point of contention.
8. Implications for Europe: The text discusses the implications of US-China hostility for Europe. While the EU shares concerns about China’s influence, there is a desire to maintain balanced engagement with China. European governments are wary of the Trump administration’s approach.
9. Desire for Multilateral Engagement: European governments emphasize the importance of keeping China engaged with multilateral institutions. They believe China has a legitimate role to play in global politics and do not view it as a political enemy.
10. Challenges to Global Order: The text highlights that world order is in flux, and the relationships between China, the EU, and the US are affected by internal and external developments. Trust among the parties is at an unusually high level, and US-European estrangement is growing in significance.

Question 2

What is the first historic ground of friction between the US and China ?

Answer 2

General historical opposition.

1. The US supported the KMT, not CCP.
2. It was an is a big protector of Taiwan.
3. Their soldiers fought each other during the Korean War. Many deaths on both sides.

Question 3

What is the second historic ground of friction between the US and China ?

Answer 3

Post WW2, the Pacific region was US lead. It signed treaties with Japan, SK, Indonesia, has bases in Guam.

China feels cornered. Circled by US allies.

Question 4

What is the third ground of friction between the US and China ?

Answer 4

They have historically had different, opposite, ideologies.

Question 5

What occurred in the 1970s between the US and China ?

Answer 5

The two states became closer, there was a meeting between Kissinger and Zhou Enlai (organized by Mao and Nixon)

1978 - they normalize relations

1979 - US recognizes the PRC and One China Policy. The RC is now not considered China, just the political power of Taiwan.

Question 6

What occurred in 1989 and 1990 between the US and China ?

Answer 6

Trouble and sanctions following Tiananmen Square.

Eventually George W Bush smooths things over (well liked by China as head liaison office representative in 1974-1975).

He says the two states’ relationship should rise above domestic politics.

Question 7

What occurred in 1996, creating friction between the US and China ?

Answer 7

In 1996, there is military tensions over Taiwan (Taiwan strait crisis).

There is a US bomb that explodes in the Chinese embassy in Serbia. US claims it was an accident. Most people and sources seem to agree, but that is not the narrative that is popular in China.

Question 8

Until recently, what was the US’s approach concerning its relations with China ?

Answer 8

The US goal was to include China in the global world order.

It is US lead, and bringing China in these institutions binds them to trade rules and globalization.

It also avoids further isolation and an intensification of nationalism for China.

They wish to “urge China to become a responsible stake holder”, it should not only participate but promote it as well.

Question 9

What are the two conflicting perspectives in China concerning joining the global order.

Answer 9

1 - Why join institutions ruled by laws they did not create, that were created by the US, their biggest rival.

2 - Some want to change this world order.

This is difficult to do from a security perspective, the US has many allies across the world, China has 1 = NK.

Rebuttal: China has greatly benefited from the world order as it is now, and with US encouragement. There is no reason to rock the boat.

Question 10

What is the first factor regulating the relations between the EU and China ?

Answer 10

During the CCP’s early rule, Eastern Europe was also a communist party, helping both entities agree.

However, not frictionless relationship - in 1968, Soviets crushed a reformist movement in Czechoslovakia, caused tensions.

They mostly are peripheral to each other. China is more focused on the US.

Question 11

What was the relationship like between China and the EU in the 1990s ?

Answer 11

In the mid 1990s, the EU is already lifting the sanctions they had put in place following Tiananmen Square.

Europe sees China’s rise in a non-threatening way. They see it as an opportunity for trade. They are compatible to each other (technology, automobile, resources etc.)

Their relationship was built on economic terms and became extremely big.

Question 12

Why does it seem China and EU’s relationship is more stable than US and China ?

Answer 12

Two of these factors are the fact that the EU does not have a military or security presence in Asia, so there is no direct competition for security or perception of any threat.

Furthermore, they both hold a sectoral dialogue, not intertwining economics and human rights for example.

Question 13

The EU and China enter an agreement in 2003. Explain.

Answer 13

The two powers entered a Comprehensive (all) Strategic (long term) Partnership.

It mostly revolves around trade and other economic exchanges.

Question 14

Why do tensions arise between the EU and China between 2006 - 2010 ?

Answer 14

The tensions concern issues of human rights and are exemplified by these three events.

1. 2006 - The European convention lists concerns about Chinese economic practices (markets, intellectual property, etc.)
2. The 2008 Olympics - used by Tibet to shine light on the CCP lead abuses, causing tensions between the EU and China concerning these policies.
3. Liu Xiaobo wins the Nobel Peace Prize in 2010 - this occurs in Norway, China boycotts Norwegian imports such as salmon.

Question 15

What is China’s first goal concerning its relations with the US and the EU ?

Answer 15

Increase its national power to increase its security (realism measure).

Question 16

What is China’s second goal concerning its relations with the US and the EU ?

Answer 16

Continue trade, economic development and technological advancements.

Question 17

What is China’s third goal concerning its relations with the US and the EU ?

Answer 17

Strategic goal : avoid balancing coalitions between the US and the Eu.

Create wedges between the EU and the US and within the EU as well.

1. They say the US is unreliable, and that the Eu should strive to be more independent from them.
2. They highlight issues of security within the EU like the story with the submarine agreement which excluded France.

Question 18

What is China’s fourth goal concerning its relations with the US and the EU ?

Answer 18

Create exit options (outside the EU) - ex: Belt and Road

They prefer to deal with individuals state than with the EU (so that they hold more power than the state they are negotiating with)

EX: 14 (Eastern Europe) + 1 (China), forum and cooperation.

Question 19

What is China’s fifth goal concerning its relations with the US and the EU ?

Answer 19

Look for individual European states to make deals with. Since the EU needs unanimity for votes, getting one ally can do a lot (mostly Greece and Hungary).

Ireland has been targeted - English speaking, not part of NATO, hates imperialism. Tensions however because of the RTE’s report on Xinjiang.

Question 20

What occurred in 2011, creating recent developments between US and China ?

Answer 20

There was a US pivot toward Asia through a realignment of resources.

It has not really materialized, the Middle East and the War in Ukraine still monopolizing the resources in the end.

China saw it as Cold War containments. It did not appreciate that much security and felt there was not enough economic involvement.

The Pacific region is therefore ruled by 2 orders, one economic (China), and one security (US).

The US indeed did not end up joining the Transpacific partnership as it was not domestically and politically advantageous, it would lead to a loss of job.

Question 21

There is instances of spying between China and the United States. Describe two of these events.

Answer 21

1. 2010-2012, the Chinese government found 18 - 20 informants of the CIA within their government. One of them was executed.
2. 2014-2015 - the Chinese spies hacked personal management (responsible for the security clearances of all US government staff)

This gave them access to the files of 22 Million people.

Question 22

How did the Trump Administration navigate relations with China ?

Answer 22

1. Trump pulled out of the Transpacific Partnership.
2. He did begin a trade war since the US is accusing China of intellectual property theft.
3. Both parties alternated placing tarifs on various goods.

The frictions are continuing.

Question 23

How did the Biden Administration navigate relations with China ?

Answer 23

He continued many of Trumps initiatives, though he did it in a more quiet manner.

His policies are more multilateral, more communication with the EU as well.

Biden highlights democracy in general, even hosting a summit in 2021, showing China that he would fight for this value.

Question 24

How are the relations between the EU and China today ?

Answer 24

In 2019, the EU called for a rethink of its original position (not a threat, a great economic opportunity).

It now considers China:

1. sometimes a cooperation partner 2. sometimes a negotiating partner
2. sometimes an economic competitor
3. sometimes a systemic rival

Question 25

What is an event that illustrates the relationship between China and the EU today ?

Answer 25

1. There was a project for an investment rule regulator (supported by Chancellor Angela Merkel)

It was ratified in 2021 following sanctions concerning Xinjiang.

2. China’s neutrality concerning the conflict in Ukraine. China put sanctions on EU members in support of Russia, human rights fighters, Xinjiang researchers. They deem these individuals are spreading lies and disrespecting their sovereignty.