(International Observer) How can China and Europe work together to inject more stability into the world?

　　China News Service, Munich, February 19th: How can China and Europe work together to inject more stability into the world?

　　China News Service reporter Ma Xiuxiu

　　On February 18, local time, the three-day 60th Munich Security Conference came to an end. During the meeting, experts on international issues participating in the meeting were interviewed by reporters from China News Service on the issue of China-EU relations. They said that changes in the international situation have brought challenges to China-EU relations and also put forward higher requirements. China and the EU need to enhance strategic mutual trust and inject more stabilizing force into the world.

The EU’s “de-risking” approach to China is untenable

　　In 2023, the EU proposed "risk removal" as the main goal of its China policy, which has also become the proposition of the German government. However, the latest report from the German Economic Institute, which analyzes data from the Bundesbank, shows that Germany’s direct investment in China will increase by 4.3% in 2023, reaching 11.9 billion euros, setting a new record.

　　"Based on the principles of market economy, the German business community still needs to invest in a more stable market with higher returns." Cui Hongjian, professor at Beijing Foreign Studies University's Institute for Advanced Studies in Regional and Global Governance and vice president of the China European Society, pointed out that whether it is Germany As for the EU, if it engages in so-called "de-risking" for specific countries, it will cause conflicts between political and economic principles, leading to contradictions between policy objectives and implementation. "This is not a reasonable option for Germany in its current economic downturn."

　　"The EU's 'de-risking' policy is untenable and is politicized and pan-security." Liu Zuokui, deputy director of the Institute of European Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said that the investment by German companies shows that they still have confidence in the Chinese market. At present, German investment in China accounts for more than 10% of its overseas investment, indicating that German companies have full trust in the Chinese market.

“De-risking” policy affects the development of China-EU relations

　　What impact will the so-called “de-risking” policy advocated by the EU have?

　　In Liu Zuokui's view, "risk removal" is actually the lack of confidence within the EU in dealing with the uncertainties faced by its own development, in order to ensure its own development through risk aversion. With the frequent occurrence of internal conflicts, European politics began to become ideological and value-based, and conservatism began to be implemented in the field of foreign policy. This has affected China-Germany and China-EU relations to a certain extent.

　　He pointed out that the European economy is currently facing many problems. If economic development is not focused from the perspective of pragmatic cooperation, it will inevitably have an inevitable long-term impact on the European economy and society.

　　Cui Hongjian said that the EU's "de-risking" policy will have a negative impact on China-EU political mutual trust, economic and trade cooperation and other aspects. He pointed out that the economic cooperation structure between China and Europe is very complex and covers a wide range of areas, and there are many third parties and even fourth parties involved in it. If Europe "de-risks" China due to so-called political needs, it will cost itself a huge price, and it will be difficult to achieve in reality.

China and Europe working together can inject more stability into the world

　　It is not a wise move for the EU to "de-risk" China. Facing the current complex and ever-changing international situation, how should the two sides correctly grasp the main tone of the development of relations?

　　"China and Europe are two important forces in the world, an important civilization and an important market. The combination of the two sides is conducive to promoting world peace and stability, and is conducive to resisting the influence of unilateralism." Liu Zuokui said that China-EU relations should be developed from a strategic height and a long-term perspective, and support They should maintain strategic independence from each other and pursue an independent foreign policy of peace, so as to promote the true multi-polarization of the world and the true democratization of international relations.

　　"Despite differences and contradictions, China and Europe can generally become a constructive force for stabilizing the world." Cui Hongjian pointed out that in promoting global governance reform, China and Europe have similar positions and common discourse in many aspects; if the two sides continue to enhance economic cooperation, It is to lay the foundation for the sustainable development of globalization. "There is no reason for China and Europe to give up the current fruitful cooperation and move towards the so-called path of competition and confrontation."

　　In Cui Hongjian's view, some of the so-called contradictions and differences between China and Europe are largely due to misunderstandings. Promoting the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations requires continuous strengthening of dialogue and exchanges, and further implementation of consensus into action. Both sides also need to have a stronger sense of mission and work together to build a better world. (over)