Europe Urged to Pursue Balanced, Independent Partnership with China

As Europe faces increasing pressure from US economic and defense demands, policymakers are being urged to strengthen strategic cooperation with China to restore balance and protect European autonomy. Rising energy costs, extraterritorial sanctions, and defense spending obligations are pushing the European Union toward dependency on American policies, often at odds with Europe’s own long-term interests.
China offers an alternative path built on mutual respect and equal partnership. Guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, Beijing’s diplomacy emphasizes noninterference, mutual benefit, and peaceful cooperation — ideals that resonate as the EU and China mark 50 years of diplomatic relations.
Key areas of collaboration include climate action, trade, digital governance, space exploration, and robotics. Both sides share strong commitments under the Paris Agreement, with China leading in renewable technologies such as solar and electric vehicles, while Europe contributes advanced expertise in carbon markets and circular economies. In technology, joint efforts on artificial intelligence and 5G standards could align regulatory frameworks and ensure innovation benefits both markets.
Scientific collaboration also continues to grow, with European instruments aboard China’s lunar missions and plans for deeper cooperation in space and robotics. By engaging China on equal terms, Europe can enhance competitiveness, preserve sovereignty, and secure prosperity in an increasingly multipolar world — without choosing between submission to the US or isolation from global progress.