The European Union and China

Thomas Christiansen, Emil Kirchner, Uwe Wissenbach

• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781137308306
• eBook ISBN: 9781137308313
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Politics & International Relations
• Subtopic: Asian Politics
• Index: Politics & International Relations

This accessible text offers a comprehensive analysis of the European Union (EU)-China relationship, as one of the most important in global politics today. Both are major players on the world stage, accounting for 30% of trade and nearly a quarter of the world's population. This text shows how, despite many differences in political systems and values, China and the EU have developed such a close, regular set of interactions at multiple levels: from political-strategic, to economic, and individual. The authors start with an historical overview of the domestic politics and foreign policy apparatus of each partner to show the context in which external relations are devised. From this foundation, each key dimension of the relationship is analysed, from trade and monetary policy, security, culture and society. The authors show the relative merits of different theoretical perspectives and outline what is next for this complex, ever-changing relationship. At every step, the success of each partner in persuading the other of changing their position(s) for key strategic interests is explored. What emerges is a multifaceted picture of relations between two sides that are fundamentally different kinds of actors in the international system, yet have many mutual interests and a common stake in the stability of global governance. The first major text to offer an accessible introduction to the multifaceted nature of EU-China relations, this book is an ideal companion for upper undergraduate and postgraduate students on Politics, International Relations and European Studies courses.

Table of contents

• Cover
• Contents
• List of Features
• List of Abbreviations
• Preface
• About the authors
• 1 Introduction
• 2 The Evolution of the EU–China Relationship
• 3 EU Institutions and the Making of EU Foreign Policy
• 4 Chinese Institutions and Foreign Policy
• 5 The Political Dimension of EU–China Relations
• 6 The Economic Dimension of EU–China Relations
• 7 The Societal Dimension of EU–China Relations
• 8 The Security Dimension of EU–China Relations
• 9 International Development Policy and EU–China Relations
• 10 China and the EU in the Global Context
• 11 Conclusions and Outlook
• Appendix: Milestones in the History of EU-China Relations
• References
• Index