Whether or not the People’s Republic of China (PRC) engages in divide-and-rule diplomacy vis-à-vis the EU can be investigated empirically. Based on unique databases of Beijing’s diplomatic engagement created by the author, and secondary literature, this policy brief describes what Chinese state and political level engagement with Europe actually looks like – and what lessons can be drawn from that for EU foreign policy on China.
The paper first discusses two tools of China’s foreign affairs work that owe their unique features to the Chinese party-state: Chinese ‘new type of great power relations’ and the use of ‘friendship’. Second, the paper looks at empirical data on state-to-state interactions that makes clear the friends and great power counterparts in Europe. Third, the paper discusses Beijing’s party diplomacy targeting European elites and finds different permutations of the same groupings.
The brief concludes with a consideration of possibilities for the EU to deal with Beijing’s diplomacy among member states as it really exists. It takes two hands to clap: compatibility with member states’ own foreign policy decisions is vital. The issue is not so much the quantity of interactions with China as it is the quality.
Policy recommendations:
Moving forward, the EU needs to take steps for:
- Exposure – so that methods and ideology behind Beijing’s actions are understood and member states receive clear signals about EU policy.
- Public education on ideology.
- Public education on the party-state.
- Regular reports tracking visits.
- Restraint – so that EU member states and institutions do not create opportunities for weakening of unity and EU competences.
- National self-discipline.
- Protect EU competences.
- Compensation –to increase European strength by relying on the options for coordination that the EU as a group has.
- Share reports with member states.
Ensure party contacts include member state officials.
Stay tuned with us by reading more: ReConnect China Policy Brief 22-Responding with data