The Chinese Factor in Developingthe Grand Strategy of the European Union

Abstract

‘Strategic partnership’ with China is often perceived as vague slogan. However, there are some points in which Chinese ‘grand strategy’ is surprisingly coherent with the European strategic vision. Both sides want to develop a multilateral world order, see peace as a precondition of development and focus their policy on non-military means. Both sides have common interests in such areas like the ones presented in this paper: energy security or stability in Africa. If the EU is to have comprehensive, grand strategy, rising China is one of the factors which force the EU to create one. Impossible to omit, difficult to cope with, more and more influential in every sphere of international relations - China seems to be one of the major forces that have an impact on European strategic discourse and strategic choices. That is why ‘Chinese factor’ seems to be crucial for any ‘strategy’ of the EU.