Research Papers

As the title demonstrates, the presentation will examine whether there is a strategic partnership between the EU and China. Since 2003, both the EU and China have addressed each other as a strategic partner, however, observers have noticed many problems in bilateral relations. The so-called honeymoon period did not last long. Instead, a long list of disagreements seemed to dominate the agenda of bilateral negotiations. Why is it so? With an analysis of the nature of bilateral relations based on international relations theory, the presentation tends to explore the differences between the two sides and to study the prospects and challenges for EU-China relations in the 21st century. The presentation will be composed of the following parts. First, it will look at the definition of strategic partnership offered by both the EU and China and examine the gap between the rhetoric and the reality. Second, it will analyze the differences between the EU and China and find the reasons why problems exist. Third, it will study the most recent changes in bilateral relations and explore the future scenarios of EU-China relations.