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Europe and China: Convergence, Politicization and Assertiveness

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Abstract

Relations between the People's Republic of China and the European Union have matured significantly. While the European Commission is actively promoting an EU China policy, the influence of the member states continues to be a defining element. In this regard, most studies and political comments call for greater coherence in European China policies. Looking at recent debates and programmes in five member states, the paper identifies three trends: programmatic convergence, the politicisation of bilateral relations within member states and an increasing assertiveness towards the PRC.

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Notes

  1. However, other bodies like the State Assets Supervisory and Administrative Commission (SASAC) and some of China’s social security funds are sometime discussed as early SWFs.

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  1. UCC School of Asian Studies, National University of Ireland, Cork, Ireland

    Joern-Carsten Gottwald

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Correspondence to Joern-Carsten Gottwald.

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The author would like to acknowledge the generous support received from the Irish Research Council for the Humanities and Social Sciences IRCHSS.

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Gottwald, JC. Europe and China: Convergence, Politicization and Assertiveness. East Asia 27, 79–97 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12140-009-9103-2

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