Brussels warns of danger from China: ‘Not unconcernedly cooperating with authoritarian superpower’
The EU is increasingly vigilant about China’s influence on the world political and economic stage. EU leaders therefore struck a harsh tone at the EU summit in Brussels, where it was mutually agreed that an authoritarian superpower cannot be unconcerned.
Heavyweight Germany, economically entwined with China, reluctantly followed the statement. Several EU countries have learned through damage in recent years that China is not just an important trading partner. The Asian superpower can apply itself economically and politically. For example, Lithuania had to endure when the EU member state tightened ties with Taiwan against Beijing’s wishes. China is also procuring e-intelligence services in European ports and other key infrastructure, to the concern of electronic intelligence.
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The Netherlands no longer ‘naive’ either
The Netherlands has also been saying for some time that it no longer wants to approach China ‘naively’. The EU currently includes China as both a strategic partner, an economic simultaneous and a systemic rival. The resemblance should perhaps shift from the first two reels, the holler sounds louder. But that hurts especially in Germany. Chancellor Olaf Scholz will go on a trade mission to China next month. The former mayor of Hamburg would also fight for a Chinese interest in the port of Hamburg.
That puts him on a firm footing. Some EU countries recall how Germany previously surrendered to gas supplier Russia and how difficult it is for Berlin to get out.