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Europe’s response to China’s rise: competing strategic visions

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  • Richard Maher

    (European University Institute)

Abstract

How should Europe respond to China’s growing economic and military capabilities, and to the more assertive foreign policy behavior it has generated? Should it seek to check or even resist China’s rise, or should it instead rely on a strategy of engagement and accommodation? Three distinct and coherent strategic visions exist that could guide Europe’s policy and strategy toward China and the Asia Pacific over the next 10 or 15 years. These range from narrow commitments to Europe’s own security and material prosperity to more ambitious and expansive efforts to shape and influence events in the Asia Pacific. These three strategic visions are (1) balancing, (2) engagement, and (3) retrenchment. After outlining and evaluating each strategic vision, this article then offers a brief review and analysis of Europe’s current approach toward China, which is a hodgepodge of engagement and retrenchment. The article concludes by examining what might cause Europe to pursue a clearer and more consistent strategic approach toward China in the years ahead.

Suggested Citation

  • Richard Maher, 2017. "Europe’s response to China’s rise: competing strategic visions," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 133-145, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:kap:asiaeu:v:15:y:2017:i:2:d:10.1007_s10308-017-0470-9
    DOI: 10.1007/s10308-017-0470-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Zhimin Chen, 2016. "China, the European Union and the Fragile World Order," Journal of Common Market Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(4), pages 775-792, July.
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    Cited by:

    1. Louis Brennan & Alessandra Vecchi, 2021. "The European Response to Chinese Outbound Foreign Direct Investment: Introducing a Dynamic Analytical Framework," Development and Change, International Institute of Social Studies, vol. 52(5), pages 1066-1089, September.
    2. Thomas Christiansen & Richard Maher, 2017. "The rise of China—challenges and opportunities for the European Union," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 121-131, June.

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