BusinessEurope published a new paper on EU-China relations

In the Business Europe (BE) latest paper EU-China relations - Engaging with a systemic rival, an updated common statement of EU businesses supported by Confederation of Industry of the Czech republic, we set out policy recommendations for creating the conditions for closer cooperation with China in 2 specific areas, which are climate policy and standardisation. 

EU-China relations have faced considerable challenges in recent times. But despite the challenging state of EU-China relations, the EU should keep in mind that China remains a necessary cooperation partner in certain areas – particularly where multilateral solutions are needed – besides being a competitor and a systemic rival. With the increased politicisation of the Chinese business environment, the situation has become even more challenging for European companies in some areas, exacerbated by the lack of international mobility with China since February 2020. On the other hand, new risk factors have emerged such as China’s increased assertiveness and the supply chain disruptions resulting from China’s zero-COVID policy.

But as newly elected BE President Fredrik Persson proclaimed, seeking further cooperation as well as common topics intersections is necessary: "Despite EU-China relations facing considerable challenges, China will remain a major market for European companies. We face many common global challenges that need collective solutions and collaboration between the EU and China."