euractiv.com: EU-China relations - towards a strategic partnership

euractiv.comEU-China relations - towards a strategic partnership

Over the past decade, the EU and China have become two of the most important global actors, with each steadily increasing its influence on the world stage. The European Security Strategy (ESS) agreed by the European Council in December 2003 proposed that the Union should look to develop strategic partnerships with China, Japan, Canada and India, as well as with all those who shared the EU’s values and goals. The ESS also called for an effective and balanced partnership with the United States and described the transatlantic relationship as "irreplaceable". Russia was also mentioned as another strategic partner, subject to respect for common values. The inclusion of China as a potential strategic partner was a recognition by the EU of the growing importance of China and, in particular, the prospect of the two actors working together in several important policy areas such as trade, energy, the environment and global governance. The Union is now China’s main trading partner and for the EU, China ranks second to the US.