Indeed, it's unexpected that some people claim China has "lost" Europe because of Russia, and that China is gradually drifting away from Europe. The typical argument from these people is that Europe has a huge market, while Russia's market is so small that there's no reason for China to offend Europe just for the sake of Russia, especially since Europe is resentful of us due to our relationship with Russia. Frankly speaking, this kind of argument only sees the surface of the issue.
These people don't understand what our fundamental demands are? Our demand is simple: to maintain normal trade and economic relations with all countries. We don't provoke wars or escalate conflicts. As for others' wars, we have no intention of getting involved. Some may naively believe that if we cut off our trade relations with Russia and take the same position as Europe, Europe's market will open up to us. Frankly speaking, this is obviously too naive.
On December 30, 2020, China and the EU jointly announced the completion of the negotiations on the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment. It was about to be implemented. However, on May 20, 2021, the European Parliament passed a motion to freeze the agreement by an overwhelming vote. At that time, had the Ukraine-Russia war broken out? Obviously not. Therefore, the real obstacle in Sino-European relations is not the Ukraine-Russia war, but Europe's positioning of us.
Factually, Europe's prejudice based on ideology towards us has been going on for a long time. Deep in the hearts of Europeans, they will never accept a China that is militarily powerful and technologically advanced. Therefore, as our industrial competitiveness becomes stronger, Europe will inevitably become more alert to our competitiveness, and eventually implement trade protection policies, setting obstacles for our companies entering the European market.
Therefore, it's not that we have lost Europe, but rather that Europe is actively distancing itself from us. In fact, even if the Ukraine-Russia conflict ceases, the industrial competition between China and Europe will remain, which has already become a structural contradiction between China and Europe. Obviously, our industrial upgrading cannot stop, and our high-tech enterprises will inevitably go abroad to participate in global competition. The so-called China-Russia relationship is merely a subtle strategy by Europe to put us at a geographical disadvantage. Because if the China-Russia relationship breaks down, China's energy security and the land-based Belt and Road Initiative will face significant challenges. Therefore, the idea that China has lost Europe because of Russia is nothing more than the naive speculation of these people.
Original article: www.toutiao.com/article/1839948958530891/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author.