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Barca edge Real Madrid in extra-time to win wild Copa del Rey final
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'Legendary' Eubank Jr beats Benn in grudge bout
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Thunder sweep past Grizzlies into NBA playoffs 2nd round, Cavs on brink
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South Korea's Ryu and Japan's Saigo share LPGA Chevron lead
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Canada leaders make closing pitches in campaign upended by Trump
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De Bruyne's Man City exit 'so difficult' for Guardiola
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'No regrets' for Amorim over Man Utd move
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Lyon and Strasbourg win to close in on Europe, Montpellier relegated from Ligue 1
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Toulouse thrash Castres as Top 14 pursuers stumble
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Djokovic crashes to nervous Arnaldi in Madrid opener, Swiatek advances
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Olympic champs Russell, Davis-Woodhall win at Drake Relays
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Browns end Sanders long draft slide
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Cavs crush Heat, on brink of NBA playoff sweep
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Fire rages after major blast at Iran port kills 8, injures hundreds
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Kiwi Beamish wins Penn Relays 1,500m crown with late kick
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Mbappe on Real Madrid bench for Clasico Copa del Rey final
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England survive France fightback to seal Women's 6 Nations slam
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Palace sweep past Villa to reach FA Cup final
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CAF appoint Moroccan Lekjaa first vice-president
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Major blast at Iran port kills 5, injures hundreds
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Rodgers vows to stay with Celtic after fourth successive Scottish title
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Ipswich relegated as Newcastle, Chelsea boost top five bids
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Canada leaders make final pitches in campaign upended by Trump
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Mullins -- Ireland's national training treasure
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US, Iran say progress in 'positive' nuclear talks
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Mullins emulates O'Brien with second successive trainer's title
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Ipswich relegated after one season in Premier League
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Just Stop Oil activist group holds final march
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Djokovic crashes to nervous Arnaldi in Madrid opener
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Syria's Kurds demand 'democratic decentralised' Syria
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Leverkusen win to delay Bayern and Kane's title party
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Buenos Aires farewells native pontiff with tears and calls to action
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Turkey's opposition says Erdogan's canal plan behind latest arrests
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Maresca hails 'nasty' Chelsea as top five bid stays alive
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Trump raises Putin doubts after Zelensky talks at pope's funeral
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Major blast at Iran port kills 4, injures hundreds
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Napoleon's sword to be sold at auction in Paris
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Iran, US discuss nuclear deal in third round of talks
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Buenos Aires farewells native pontiff with call to action
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Warholm sets hurdles world record at Diamond League, Holloway shocked
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US students 'race' sperm in reproductive health stunt
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Wikileaks founder Assange joins crowds for pope funeral
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Leader Marc Marquez claims Spanish MotoGP sprint victory
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Celtic win fourth successive Scottish Premiership title
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Jackson ends drought as Chelsea boost top five push
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Warholm sets 300m hurdles world record in Diamond League opener
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Major blast at south Iran port kills 4, injures hundreds
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Russia says retook Kursk from Ukraine with North Korean help
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Francis laid to rest as 400,000 mourn pope 'with an open heart'
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Trump, Zelensky meet on sidelines of pope's funeral
Is this Europe's plan for China?
Relations between Europe and China have changed rapidly in recent years. While China, as the world's second largest economy, has become an indispensable trading partner, concerns about dependencies, human rights issues and technological competitive conditions are also increasing. This raises the question for the European Union: how should it, as a union of states and an economic power, deal with China in the future?
Economic opportunities and dependencies
China is now the largest trading partner or at least one of the most important sales markets for numerous European countries. European export companies, particularly in the automotive and mechanical engineering sectors, are benefiting from the rapid development in the Far East. At the same time, there is a growing awareness that over-reliance on Chinese supply chains – for example, for the procurement of critical raw materials or important electronic components – entails economic and geopolitical risks.
The European Union therefore wants to diversify its supply chains and markets. Part of this strategy lies in the targeted promotion of European technology and innovation projects, for example through the ‘European Chips Act’ or the advancement of its own battery cell and semiconductor production. The aim is to become a global engine of innovation and to reduce the one-sided dependence on imports from China.
Value-oriented foreign policy
Europe sees itself not only as an economic union, but also as a community of values that upholds the protection of human rights. In its cooperation with China, however, these principles regularly collide with Beijing's ideas of sovereignty and governance. For example, issues such as the situation in Xinjiang, the situation in Hong Kong or questions about freedom of expression and freedom of the press cause tensions.
This leads to a balancing act: on the one hand, Europe wants to promote trade and investment with China, but on the other hand, it feels it has a duty to criticise human rights violations. At the diplomatic level, this means a combination of dialogue and, where necessary, economic or political pressure. The EU and individual member states are trying to send clear signals by imposing targeted sanctions or suspending certain agreements.
Technology and competition
Europe also faces the challenge of safeguarding its technological sovereignty without losing access to the lucrative Chinese market. Whether it's 5G expansion, artificial intelligence or high-speed trains, China has shifted the innovation focus in many key technologies and is increasingly penetrating areas in which European companies have so far been leading. Conversely, European companies in sensitive sectors are reconsidering their cooperation with Chinese partners.
Conclusion: constructively shaping mutual dependence
In view of global challenges such as climate change or pandemics, pragmatic cooperation between Europe and China is unavoidable. The EU should pursue a multi-pronged approach: it must strengthen its economic and technological independence, represent clear values and assert its interests with confidence. At the same time, cooperation with Beijing is required to combat common problems, for example in climate protection.
The key task for Europe is to find a way to promote trade and innovation without sacrificing important values and standards. The motto is: engagement where it makes sense for both sides – but also drawing clear boundaries when crucial principles are at stake.

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