China-EU

A New China-Italy Partnership Beyond the Belt and Road Initiative

With an official visit to China from July 27 to 31, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni becomes the first Western leader...

China and Russia in Central Asia: Is Cooperation Possible and in What Areas?

Central Asia (CA), located in the center of the Eurasian continent, is a potential transport bridge between Europea and the dynamic Southeast Asia. First of all, the potential of this region is associated with the development of its transit capabilities and its implementation can give a serious impetus to the development of CA states suffering from the land-locked geographic location, the economic crisis, weak economic diversification, and an outdated technological base. Russia traditionally plays an important role in the development of this region, historically, economically and politically associated with most of the states of this region, especially with the former Soviet republics of CA (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan), and China, which is interested in ensuring the transportation of goods to Europe and ready to make significant investments to create the necessary infrastructure for this under the initiative of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB). Security Issue However, we should not forget that the practical implementation of these projects requires ensuring security in this region, especially given its geographical proximity to the states of the Middle East and Afghanistan. Threats to security in this region are mainly transboundary in nature, and the efforts of the states of the region themselves are not enough to overcome them. They need the help of external players to overcome the identified challenges and […]

Communication and Coordination Key in Continuing Strong China-EU Relations

There is much that unites China and Europe. Whilst Donald Trump’s isolated, “America First” strategy has hurt countries economically, it has created possibilities to strengthen and build new relationships. China and the European Union’s (EU) is one relationship that has matured greatly over the last few years. Trade now averages at over €1 billion a day, and both see eye to eye on a range of issues, from climate change to multilateralism, free trade to reform in the World Trade Organisation. “Solid Foundation, Enormous Potential and Bright Prospects” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang successful visit last week to Europe, where he visited Belgium, the Netherlands, the latter which signed trade deals reaching US$10 billion and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), was another chance to reaffirm the strong values that Europe and China hold. Δ Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (2nd L) arrives in Brussels, Belgium, Oct. 16, 2018. (Xinhua/Gao Jie) “Cooperation between Asia and Europe has a solid foundation, enormous potential and bright prospects,” said Premier Li in his speech at the ASEM summit. On multilateralism, Premier Li spoke of Europe and Asia’s joint responsibility to “lead the way” in keeping multilateral institutions alive, as well as adhering to and reviewing a rules-based system, such as those offered by the World Trade Organization (WTO). In the Netherlands, Li’s keynote speech at the business forum […]

Full Steam Ahead on the China-Europe Express Route

Wherever you are right now, there is a high probability something around you was imported from China. You might be using some electronics, in a shopping mall, or driving your car (hopefully not whilst reading this) but no matter what, there is a very big chance you are close to something made from there. This isn’t a new phenomenon of course. China is the number one exporting country in the world, exporting more than $2,157,000 million worth of goods in 2017 alone. Yet how these goods are being transported to European shopping malls, supermarkets and homes, is new. Last month, the China-Europe Express, sometimes referred to as the China-Europe Freight Train, reached a significant milestone, when it clocked its 10,000th journey from Wuhan, in central China, to Europe. Previously, goods from China had always arrived into Europe in the back of a freight plane or stowed in the bow of a ship. The reason for this was simple, air freight was significantly quicker than train and ship freight was a lot cheaper. Yet now, more and more trade between China and Europe is being done along the Belt and Road (B&R) using freight trains, which is reducing costs and increasing delivery speed. From Yilin to London, Xi’an to Hamburg Since 2013 B&R has been connecting China with the rest of […]

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