The Big Picture: European Union Takes on China

The European Union and China sparred over geopolitics and economics on Monday when the heads of the bloc’s main institutions held video conferences with the Chinese premier and president. EU criticism of a Chinese plan to curb Hong Kong’s autonomy, allegations that China has spread disinformation about the coronavirus and frustration over Beijing’s curbs on foreign investors featured prominently in the talks. The atmosphere has become gloomier since the last EU-China summit in April 2019, when both sides pledged unity in the fight to uphold the multilateral order being challenged by U.S. President Donald Trump’s 'America First' agenda and the Europeans claimed progress in prodding the Chinese government to pursue fairer economic policies. While that meeting 14 months ago produced a much-hailed EU-China statement, no joint declaration emerged from Monday’s deliberations. Also, unlike last year, the Chinese side on Monday opted against a joint press conference with the EU. In this edition of The Big Picture we analyse the tensions between EU and China.

Anchor:- Frank Rausan Pereira
Producer:- Sagheer Ahmad
Guest Name:-
1. Mohan Kumar, Former Ambassador
2. Pramit Pal Chaudhuri, Foreign Editor, Hindustan Times
3. Prof. Gulshan Sachdeva, Centre for European Studies, JNU

[orangelays]

Wonderfully informative and no drama - thankfully

[shashiketan]

*181. EU - CHINA WORLD ORDER*
Issues emerging between the two:
• Human rights issues.
• WTO reforms
• Investment agreement to be finalized by Sep – doesn’t seem like
• China’s GHG emission - Refusing to upgrade INDC
• Hongkong issue: abrogating an international treaty to erode Hong Kong’s guaranteed liberties through the introduction of a new security law
• Lack of transparency by china for coronavirus.
• Market access for European companies in China.

Earlier EU & US strategy:
• Bring china into multilateral & make it a responsible stakeholder. Under Deng China acted responsibly, Xi jinping – undermining every agreement.
• US under Trump is confronting China while EU wants to manage the relations. A lot will depend on the US elections in November.
• Post Pandemic – QUAD has been core to US over NATO
• Everything in EU is by consensus, not all states on the same page.

China & EU
• Economic heavy weights - Goods & services trade €640 bn
• Strong institutional mechanism.
• China is EU’s 2nd largest trading partner.
• Germany disproportionate influence 43% of EU exports to China is Germany, 18% imports from China to EU is to Germany, 5000 German firms operate in China, 25000 technologies transferred to China worth $100bn.
• Chinese investment in ports, railroads, telecommunications, and the power grid offered countries like Greece, Italy, and Portugal much-needed investment

EU strategy going forward:
• Mood is shifting against China - BRI – infrastructure project but geopolitical threat now to Europe.
• Strategic investment will be screened much more in Europe - EU guidance paper to member state – Foreign investment & 5G (critical technology)
• Essential goods & services, vaccines – reassuring.
• WTO – leadership vacuum. (state subsidies, anti dumping) – domestic EU law on state subsidies will be applicable which gives Chinese companies advantage.
• Europe is an economic player, recently they are emerging geopolitical player – more engagement with India, Japan & play a bigger role in Asia on trade, connectivity.

[prateekc]

its not "theft" if it was an agreement

[pranavkumar]

This type of discussion totally missing on other channels

[zahoorkhawaja.]

The best wayforward in this case is as :-
1 Eu companies shifting from China to India is welcone.
2 Strategic Dialogue related to Trade is to be promoted between EU-India.
3 US is furious of China . Hence US-EU policy shift post pandemic related to defense, trade, investment is healthy for India.
4 India need to create amicable environment for EU-Usa FDI in India.

[MrYuvraj]

Hello Mohan Sir, so good to see you on The Big Picture. Always a pleasure to listen to your views 🙏

[arpanjotsingh]

During post production put in relevant images and small video cuts . Format could help us better understand topic . Maps should be used . Right now show is only audio oriented . Thanks frank for your efforts .

[prashansaaggarwal]

Please make video on 'Increasing export market for India'

[siddarthdabhade]

Why aren't we having a debate on India China relations?

[abutarabshaikh]

The professor is kinda guessing all the things:'(

[IndiaTides]

Europe's human rights are under their economic interests. Don't expect much

[सोप्याशब्दात]

RSTV THE BIG PICTURE IN MARATHI मराठी मध्ये EUROPEAN UNION TAKES ON CHINA यूरोपियन संघाचे चीनला आव्हान नक्की बघा सोप्या शब्दात चॅनल वर

TRANSCRIPT IN ENGLISH
SO OTHER VIEWERS SHOULD ALSO VISIT

[tubeyouhindisamaroh]

Let indians have skill like Chinese not lust for government jobs like Frank 😁😂😃

[sanjana]

We demand 1 more discussion on the topic: HOW INDIA CAN GAIN FROM DISTORTING "EU-CHINA" RELATIONSHIP....
Thanku RSTV for this wonderful discussion...

[Aryan-owjd]

The world needs to acknowledge that this was a bio-weapon.