EU bid to forge engagement with China and why it failed

Touted as a 'median path', the European Union's policy was meant to offer an alternative between confrontation and friendship with China

ST ILLUSTRATION: MIEL
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

Now you see it, now you don't. Only a few days ago, media headlines proclaimed that the European Union had decided to drop a landmark investment treaty with China, a significant blow to Chinese relations with the world's single biggest trading bloc.

But in a subsequent statement clarifying its position, the EU intimated that its China treaty is still relevant, although its potential ratification and entry into force "would depend on the evolving dynamics of the wider EU-China relationship".

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 08, 2021, with the headline EU bid to forge engagement with China and why it failed. Subscribe