Are EU-China Relations at a Crossroads?

China's increased economic and political footprint in Europe has finally caught the attention of policymakers on the Continent. In a new European Union approach, for the first time, Beijing is mentioned as a "systemic rival" of Europe. According to a recent European Commission document, "EU-China: A strategic outlook," China is moving from a "strategic partner" (as depicted for more than 15 years in EU parlance) to a "negotiating partner." Ideally, the European Union needs to find a balance of interests with China as an "economic competitor" in the pursuit of technological leadership, and as a "systemic rival" promoting alternative models of governance....