'Dialogue' best way to solve rift between West and China

A former Irish government minister says “dialogue” is the best way of improving the currently strained relations between the West and China.

Speaking at Brussels Press Club on Thursday (28 September), Dick Roche, a former Irish minister for EU affairs, also said he hoped for a “peaceful resolution” to China’s ongoing sovereignty conflict with Taiwan.

He said: “I am always reminded of the old saying by Churchill that  ‘jaw jaw is better then war war.’

“We live in an imperfect world and talking to each other always has to be the best option.”

Roche was a guest speaker at the latest in a series of debates organized by EU Reporter.

The discussion, called “China-EU: An essential trade partnership”, focused on the relationship between the two sides and possible threats to its success.

The EU is the PRC's largest trading partner, and the PRC is the EU's largest trade partner. In 2023 China accounted for 9% of EU goods exports and 20% of EU goods imports.

 The balance of challenges and opportunities presented by China has shifted over time. At the same time, the EU says it has remained committed to engagement and cooperation given China’s crucial role in addressing global and regional challenges.

The relationship between the EU and China continues to be complex and multi-dimensional.

EU-China trade volume reached over $1 trillion in 2021. On the other hand, the EU has continuously criticised China over issues including human rights concerns, EU companies' lack of market access in China, and challenges to the international rules-based system.

The EU’s current approach towards China is set out in the 2019 “Strategic Outlook” Joint Communication which the EU says “remains valid”.

Roche, who was addressing an audience of EU policymakers, journalists and others, said: “We should not always look to demonise the other side but, rather, try to see things from their point of view.

“It is better to be open to others’ influence and viewpoint rather than try to alienate them.”

He added: “China is not perfect but, then again, the EU is far from perfect either.”

“Rather than stand on our moral high ground our energy should go into making the world a better and more peaceful place.”

He said he saw similarities between the current situation regarding China and Taiwan as applied to Ireland and Northern Ireland in the past.

“Divisions existed as they do now but we found in Ireland’s case that talking to each other was the best way of making progress. I hope the same will now apply to the current situation relating to China and Taiwan.”

He added: “Paranoia is rife, not least in the U.S but, as in the past I also hope that certain people will not seek to use current divisions or tensions for political gain or advantage.”

Linlin Liang, communication and research director at the Chinese Chamber of Commerce to the EU, said: “I want to stress that the EU and China should be seen as equals and not rivals.”

Another speaker, Dr Mauricio Geri, EU Marie Curie Fellow and former NATO analyst, urged the West including the EU to be aware of the trading potential offered by Africa which, he said, would have a population of 4.5 billion by the end of this century.