The European Commission knows that the relationship with China is increasingly thorny and that the Union has to follow its own strategy with respect to the Asian giant, given the growing tension from the United States so that the Twenty-seven adopt their hard line. In 2019, the EU identified China in three ways: as a partner, as a competitor, and as a systemic rival.. And that continues to be the scenario, although in the community capital they warn that these three elements are increasingly unbalanced.

The foreign ministers of the European Union, meeting in an informal meeting this Friday in Stockholm, will discuss the European strategy regarding Beijing after the speech by Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, who sought to update the 2019 doctrine, moving away from the “decoupling” that is defended in Washington and betting on “risk reduction” without actually disconnecting the Union from China. Since then, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, caused a stir with some statements regarding Taiwan, and it has become clear that the EU regrets not having a common strategy regarding Beijing..

To structure the dialogue between the ministers, the European External Action Service has prepared a reflection document, to which El Confidencial has had access, in which the Member States are requested not to isolate China. “Multifaceted, direct and realistic engagement with China must remain a cornerstone of the EU's approach. Open and clear messages to Chinese leaders are needed, along with realistic expectations to ensure both credibility and leverage,” the document states, explaining that “the EU and its Member States must remain firm but not confrontational.”.

The document includes a central element of relations with China: Beijing is trying to promote its model of society, in which there are no universal values, and in which prosperity is above human rights, democracy and freedom, and the European Union must be firm and intelligent, opposing this system in all forums. And while that may make relations tense, it should not lead to broken bridges with the Chinese government.. “Systemic rivalry can occur in almost all areas. But this should not deter the EU from keeping communication channels open and seeking constructive cooperation with China.”.

The document admits that this is an effort given the “increasing self-induced isolation of the Chinese leadership.”. For this reason, it also warns the capitals that they must be ready so that these attempts at cooperation do not always bear fruit.. The EU must recognize that “sometimes the dialogue may not yield clear results in a short-term perspective”.

At the moment, China is in a real diplomatic offensive to prevent Europe from aligning itself completely with the United States in the growing competition between Beijing and Washington, and the document of the European Commission warns that the deal “with China in foreign policy and security must be commensurate with China's real interest in peace and stability.”. Once again, Brussels warns Beijing that the relations between the two blocs are going to be deeply linked to the role that the Asian giant plays in the Ukrainian conflict, although the document makes it clear that China has “pro-Russian” positions..

Regarding Taiwan, the EEAS points to the need to maintain the one-China policy, but always through dialogue. At this point, the document also mentions Washington: “The EU has a fundamental interest in involving China, and the US, in maintaining the status quo and reducing tensions in the Taiwan Strait,” the text underlines. which notes that the rising tension is a “reminder of increased risks of accidents and deeper confrontation”.

The document has been circulated to the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and warns that the European Union has to be prepared for there to be more curves in the road. “The EU must be prepared for scenarios in which tensions escalate significantly. The risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait clearly shows the need to work with partners to prevent the erosion of the status quo in the interests of all,” the text states.