EU-China Relations at a Crossroads. China and the Left-Series, No. 1/4

The postponed EU-China Summit in Leipzig (planned for September 2020) had been aimed to reset EU-China relations which seem to be at a crossroads. China’s ambitions to move its state-capitalist economy up the global value chain and the Chinese governments’ more assertive role in world affairs are increasingly posing a challenge to European capitalist interests. As a result, and in the shadow of rising US-China tensions, China is increasingly perceived not as a partner but a threat by political and economic elites in various EU member states, a “competitor” and “systemic rival” as the European Commission put it in 2019. In this online discussion, we will talk about the current state of EU-China relations, focusing on the controversies over Chinese investments in Europe, EU member states’ diverging interests and reactions related to the Belt and Road Initiative, the impact of the US-China conflict, as well as the question of how the Left can and should position itself amidst growing geoeconomic and geopolitical tensions.

Presentations by Stefan Schmalz and Jenny Simon

Moderation: Daniel Fuchs (gongchao.org)

This is the first event of the online discussion series "China and the Left. Critical Analysis & Grassroots Activism" which is organized by people from different left-wing initiatives, including gongchao.org (https://www.gongchao.org), Made in China Journal (https://madeinchinajournal.com), and the group behind the protests against the EU-China-Summit in Leipzig, Germany (https://noeucn.org).

The series brings together activists and researchers with a left-wing perspective in order to shed more light on China’s changed role in the world as well as on the social conflicts and mobilizations in the country. It tries to instigate more direct exchanges and solidarity at the grassroots level between overseas initiatives and social struggles and activists in China. In doing so, it also aims to undermine the rising tide of anti-Chinese racism in countries of the Global North that governments and right-wing players stir up to promote their own economic and political nationalism.

The online discussions take place on the video platform Zoom. On the day of the event, those who have booked a free ticket here will get an email with the link they need to log in and participate.

You can register for the other events of the series here as well:

Registration for no. 2/4: The Hong Kong Protest Movement

Registration for no. 3/4: Feminism and Queer Activism in China

Registration for no. 4/4: Recent Labor Unrest and Organizing in China