Beijing and Brussels face a need to rebuild trust, a task highlighted by Josep Borrell, the EU’s top diplomat. He described a landscape where economy and geopolitics pull at the fabric of relations, straining the long-standing harmony between two ancient powers and the modern global order that depends on stable ties. Each side seeks to move beyond mutual fear, adjusting its approach even as interpretations of the world diverge. The Middle East crisis underscores this delicate balance.
“In any human relationship, trust is capital, and mutual trust has been eroded,” Borrell told an audience at Peking University on a recent Friday. Several issues separate Europe and China, with the war in Ukraine the most visible fault line. Europe’s ongoing support for Ukraine contrasts with China’s declared neutrality. Borrell noted that China has not supplied military aid to Russia, a point Washington has pressed China to consider differently, urging Beijing to show greater assurance to the Ukrainian people that it is not a Russia ally. Yet Beijing is wary of Europe’s criticisms of its peace proposals, just as Brussels worries about China’s public diplomacy regarding Russia.
China struggles to interpret Borrell’s remarks as he conveyed admiration for China’s progress while also teaching a hard lesson about the pain of international friction. He suggested a path forward where China and the EU cooperate while accepting their differences. Peaceful competition, he explained, does not equate to hostility; it acknowledges divergent political and economic models yet allows collaboration where interests align. This nuanced stance signals a willingness to engage even when values clash, a sign that the two blocs may pursue common ground in a multipolar world.
to the third
Borrell’s visit had been postponed twice this year due to Covid-19 and to the dismissal of a key Chinese foreign minister, underscoring the sensitivity of the moment. In Beijing, the dialogue occurs against a backdrop of ongoing sensitivity around the Middle East crisis. China invokes its own position on neutrality, tracing the historical context and urging Western actors to temper their actions. This stance contrasts with Washington and Brussels, which have robust support for Israel and have framed certain actions by Hamas as unprovoked. Meanwhile, observers note a European investigation into Chinese subsidies for electric vehicles and a broader debate about industry support in the green transition. In parallel, there is less discussion about similar U.S. subsidies for domestic EV purchases, a reflection of the broader political economy at play.
The Ukraine crisis has clouded China’s path toward closer ties with Europe. The macro investment agreement, the fruit of lengthy negotiations, remains on hold with no immediate expectation of completion. Beijing aims to ensure that Brussels understands the risks of leaning too hard toward Washington’s stance while maintaining its own independent policy. There is a push to reassure Europe that China does not harbor a hidden agenda and to emphasize that European interests can be pursued alongside China’s ascent on the world stage. Borrell framed the goal as ensuring Europe is taken seriously by China, while also urging China to interpret Europe’s stance more clearly, free from assumptions about a broader alliance.
Overcoming suspicion will not be quick or easy. The press offered cautious optimism, suggesting that honest dialogue could bridge gaps, but editorials in outlets such as Global Times warned that external influence in European politics can overstep boundaries. Chinese readers often view Europe’s strategic autonomy as an echo of U.S. policy, especially on issues like Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and Taiwan, while also noting protectionist trade measures that appear to mirror broader U.S. policies in the name of risk mitigation. These perceptions color the dialogue and shape the pace of any potential rapprochement.
For Europe, the stakes are high. A reset could unlock a more balanced partnership with Beijing, shaping a course where both sides recognize shared interests in trade, innovation, climate action, and global governance. Yet the path forward remains fraught with competing narratives about security, sovereignty, and the role of external powers in regional conflicts. The coming months are likely to test the resilience of EU-China cooperation and the capacity of both sides to translate speeches into concrete, trust-building steps that withstand the pressures of a complex, rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape. This ongoing exchange will continue to influence how Europe navigates its own strategic autonomy while engaging with a rising China, and how China measures the fairness and predictability of Western partners’ policies. (attribution: European diplomatic briefings)