China is betting its charm offensive can turn Europe away from US

Despite recent improvements in relations with the US, China is increasingly focused on building relations with Europe as it seeks more global partners

Europe’s priority in China’s eyes is clear, but swaying EU members towards Beijing will be hard given a long-standing US alliance and European trade concerns

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Klaus W. LarresandLea Thome

Published: 5:30am, 2 Mar 2024Updated: 8:34am, 2 Mar 2024

Amid multiple sources of conflict around the world, there seems to be one bright spot. Since the November 2023 meeting at the Apec summit between US President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping, the downward spiral in US-China relations has been somewhat halted.

Even so, Beijing seems convinced that constructive relations with the US can no longer be maintained beyond a superficial level of engagement. As outlined in its Global Security Initiative, Beijing now sees itself as a force for stability and security in a world that has moved beyond the need for the US.

This makes relations with the European Union and its 27 member states crucial for China in its search for global partners in an increasingly polarised world. It also goes some way to explaining why the world is witnessing a Chinese charm offensive for the soul of Europe.

In addition to meeting European leaders or foreign ministers at the Munich Security Conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi made visits to France and Spain. While the conference launched its annual report in the context of “lose-lose” dynamics, Wang was determined to turn his attendance at the conference into a “win-win” situation.