Europe's China threat posture incoherent and self-defeating
A European Union document approved by foreign ministers on July 13, titled 'Common Understanding: The Threats and Challenges We Face', casts Beijing as an enabler of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and cites its 'assertive behaviour' in the South China Sea as a threat to European and Indo-Pacific security. However, the article argues that Europe's approach is incoherent: it diagnoses China as a systemic rival but fails to own the policy choices that follow. EU High Representative Kaja Kallas suggested in March that this position paper will underpin a forthcoming European Security Strategy linking defence, energy and supply chains. The critique contends that until European governments accept the consequences of their actions, they will remain reactive while others shape global outcomes.
Key facts
- EU foreign ministers approved a document on July 13 titled 'Common Understanding: The Threats and Challenges We Face'.
- The document describes China as an enabler of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- It cites China's 'assertive behaviour' in the South China Sea as a threat to European and Indo-Pacific security.
- EU High Representative Kaja Kallas suggested in March that the paper will underpin a forthcoming European Security Strategy.
- The strategy will link defence, energy and supply chains.
- The article argues Europe's China posture is incoherent and self-defeating.
- Europe is described as diagnosing power while others decide its fate.
- China's industrial scale, technological ambitions, commercial leverage, control of critical raw materials, Russia partnership and Indo-Pacific conduct form a single threat assessment.
Entities
Institutions
- European Union
- EU High Representative
- European Security Strategy
Locations
- Beijing
- Russia
- South China Sea
- Europe
- Indo-Pacific