рус eng
«IZVESTIYA IRKUTSKOGO GOSUDARSTVENNOGO UNIVERSITETA». SERIYA «POLITOLOGIYA. RELIGIOVEDENIE»
«THE BULLETIN OF IRKUTSK STATE UNIVERSITY». SERIES «POLITICAL SCIENCE AND RELIGION STUDIES»
ISSN 2073-3380 (Print)

List of issues > Series «Political Science and Religion Studies». 2025. Vol 54

“The Big Elephant in the Room”: The European Union's Relations with China in the Post-Pandemic Period through the Prism of Official EU Statements

Author(s)

L. O. Igumnova

Irkutsk National Research Technical University, Irkutsk, Russian Federation

Abstract
The aim of the article is to explore some aspects of European-Chinese relations in the post-pandemic period (2023–2025) by analyzing the views and approaches of senior EU’s officials as reflected in their statements. The article is based on the examination of statements made by the EU High Representatives Josep Borrell and Kaja Callas, the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council and other representatives of the European Commission and the EU’s diplomatic corps. The analysis confirms that the European model of interaction with China is not limited to the “friend or foe” dichotomy. The attitude towards Beijing as a partner, competitor and rival of Brussels is manifested in the value, political, economic and security spheres. The EU recognizes that divergence in values and interests with China lies behind a whole range of systemic problems in bilateral relations. Geopolitical category of rivalry, however, coexists with narratives about mutually beneficial cooperation. Brussels’ official communications with Beijing evolve in confrontational and cooperative directions simultaneously. Competitive dynamics do not stop the EU from seeking common ground with China on the most pressing issues of the global and bilateral agenda. The EU’s leaders’ statements towards Beijing during the period under review nonetheless demonstrate a negative dynamic in the development of European-Chinese relations.
About the Authors
Igumnova Lyudmila Olegovna, Сandidate of Sciences (History), Associate Professor, Baikal School of BRICS Irkutsk National Research Technical University 83, Lermontov st., Irkutsk, 664074, Russian Federation e-mail: lyudmila_igum@mail.ru
For citation
Igumnova L.O. “The Big Elephant in the Room”: The European Union's relations with China in the post-pandemic period through the prism of official EU statements. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Political Science and Religion Studies, 2025, vol. 54, pp. 121-136. https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.54.121 (in Russian)
Keywords
European Union, China, EU foreign policy, EU-China relations.
UDC
327(4)
DOI
https://doi.org/10.26516/2073-3380.2025.54.121
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