- 2018-11-27
The EU version of "One Belt One Road" is coming
Why did the EU issue a strategic cooperation document on connectivity between Europe and Asia at this time? What is the relationship between the European version of "One Belt One Road" and China's "One Belt One Road" initiative? What impact will it have on the world situation in the future?
"This European version of the'Belt and Road' policy document is to prepare for the Asia-Europe meeting to be held in mid-October. Although there is not much specific content, many principled content shows that the EU's Eurasian interconnection strategy has changed from passive wait and see to Europe and Asia. A major change in attitude towards active participation." Wang Shuo, deputy director of the Institute of European Studies of the China Institute of International Studies, said in an interview with this newspaper.
According to the website of the EU Delegation to China, this 13-page policy document is part of the EU’s implementation of its global strategy, expounding the EU’s vision for a new comprehensive strategy to better connect Europe and Asia, which will help The core of guiding the EU's external actions in related fields is sustainable, comprehensive and rules-based interconnection.
The EU stated that it will start to strengthen interconnection in three aspects: promoting efficient cross-border connections in transportation, energy, digitalization and human networks; strengthening bilateral, regional and international cooperation based on commonly recognized rules and standards; Different financial instruments promote sustainable finance.
According to Reuters, starting in 2021, the EU will allocate additional funds from the common budget to support this plan along with private sector loans and a number of development banks.
According to the "***" report, for the next round of the EU budget, the European Commission proposes to increase the external action budget from 2021 to 2027 by 30% to 123 billion euros.
Wang Shuo said that choosing to issue the "Scenario" at this time is the result of the EU's consideration in accordance with its own agenda.
As early as the beginning of this year, the former EU ambassador to China, Shi Wei, stated at the first press conference in 2018, “The EU is formulating a blueprint for the European and Asian continental interconnection. This cooperation framework will work with China and other Eurasian countries. The country further develops joint cooperation and concretely connects with the "Belt and Road" initiative." The "blueprint" that Shi Wei said is the "vision" released this time.
According to the British "Daily Telegraph" website, a few days ago, European Commission President Juncker delivered an alliance speech at the European Conference in Strasbourg with the theme of "European Sovereignty Moment", calling for "trade and currency wars" to be met. As a major force in the world, the EU must flex its muscles and maintain the international order. "We must become a greater global participant."
Keep differences and seek cooperation
It is worth mentioning that the "Scenario" lists China as the primary target of bilateral cooperation, and emphasizes the cooperation on the China-Europe interconnection platform and the cooperation between the EU and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank.
Wang Shuo analyzed that, on the one hand, China’s “One Belt One Road” initiative has been put forward for many years, the concept has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people of all countries, and practical results have been achieved along the route, and a large amount of good reputation and relevant experience have been accumulated. China's strength in capital, technology, and enterprises, as well as China's willingness and efforts in interconnection, have been recognized by the European Union. On the other hand, as early as 2015, China and the EU began to discuss the strategic connection between the two sides in the field of interconnection and have been discussing the connection between the “Belt and Road” initiative and the European “Junker Plan”. Therefore, it is expected that the EU will list China as the primary partner of bilateral cooperation in the field of interconnection.
The EU's policy document "Connecting Europe and Asia" this time released a strong signal of Sino-European cooperation, but it was misinterpreted by some Western media as to contend with China's "One Belt, One Road" initiative.
"The "Connecting Europe and Asia-The European Union Strategy Vision" is just a vision. It is too early to talk about confrontation and competition. The relationship between this vision and China's "Belt and Road Initiative" cannot be determined as a'matching'. , It is not certain that it is a'challenge', and the two parties are more likely to have an equal cooperative relationship." Wang Shuo said. The European Commission stated in its memorandum document that, despite differences in methods and implementation, both the EU and China know that ensuring that their respective initiatives achieve a benign collaborative work is beneficial to each other.
Geng Shuang, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that China expects the EU to play a constructive role in promoting Asia-Europe connectivity, and send positive signals to promote economic cooperation among Asian and European countries and build an open world economy.
Turn challenges into opportunities
There is still a long way to go from the vision to the landing of the "Imagination", and challenges and opportunities will coexist. How to turn challenges into opportunities is a question that European countries need to consider seriously.
In Wang Shuo's view, the primary challenge for the implementation of the "Scenario" is the EU itself. The relatively loose organization of the EU, coupled with uneven distribution of benefits, often causes different opinions among EU member states, and it is difficult to reach consensus on many issues, which has severely weakened the EU's unified policy implementation. Secondly, the EU overemphasizes the awareness of rules, which to some extent restricts its hands and feet, restricts development, and there is a gap between ideals and reality.
The analysis believes that, as an important global strategic force, the EU hopes to play its own important role in the process of promoting Eurasian interconnection, so as to obtain more practical benefits for EU member states' enterprises, and to shape and influence this process. Demand.
Mogherini said, “The higher the degree of connectivity between Europe and Asia, the more opportunities we have, especially in terms of finding a common political solution and bringing economic prosperity to citizens. Our approach is the EU approach: in all The field is based on the principle of respecting common rules to build a stronger network and strengthen all sustainable interconnected partnerships."
Wang Shuo said that the European version of the Eurasian interconnection strategy more embodies the EU's awareness of rules, and rules are the EU's fine traditions and cultural soft power. But good cooperation is based on equal consultation.
"If the "Scenario" is implemented, there is no doubt that China will encounter more responses from the EU in its future infrastructure construction in the EU. The EU will participate in the cooperation between China and EU member states in a stronger role. We There will also be more two-line operations between China and Europe. The two sides should seek rules for docking while cooperating, instead of blindly seeking rules to lead." Wang Shuo said.