Europe-China Academic Network for Studies (ECAN)

Monitoring and assessing implications of China's economic rise for the EU and assisting in the updating  and articulation of the EU Agenda for the EU-China Relationship

The EIAS presentation at the first ECAN Workshop is avaliable for download: flash/shockwave

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

China's very rapid economic growth is having immense repercussions on the world, among others on the consumption of the world's resources. Global financial and commodity markets nowadays react sharply to Chinese domestic policies. Developments in China have, among others, significant consequences for the world environment, the availability and prices of energy and for the competitiveness of the EU.

China's international stature is also evident on the global political stage. Today Chinese leaders are invited to take part in G-8 meetings and there are regular summits between Chinese and many foreign leaders. China has also raised its profile and become more proactive in international organizations.

China's rise together with its huge population of 1.3 billion poses serious challenges to the EU, but creates also opportunities. EU policies have kept pace with China's rapid economic growth and its corresponding rise as a political player on the world stage. EU-China relations have been expanding - widening and deepening - very rapidly. From the EU side the relationship has been charted and guided by various EU policy papers. The last of these policy papers was issued by the European Commission in September 2003 and approved by the Council in October that year ("A Maturing Partnership: Shared Interests and Challenges in the EU"). Especially in the last few years the relationship has seen a "big leap forward". Relations are pursued under three main headings: Political and Human Rights Dialogues; Economic and Trade Relations; and EU-China Co-operation. Important work is being done within these areas. However in tandem with China's growing role there is a need for cross-cutting activities which can underpin the EU's general strategy towards China. An important part of these activities would be to establish and maintain high-quality analysis on a number of topical issues. As the EU is increasing its global aspirations it should develop such an environment for high-quality policy input.

The EU and China have now some 20 dialogues going on and five sectoral agreements of major significance are operational . The EU finances a number of projects in China. The relationship is developing into what can be qualified as a "strategic partnership". In a number of areas the EU and China have important common and/or mutual interests. One of them concerns the strengthening of effective multilateralism.

It is of utmost importance that the EU in further defining and articulating its strategy and policies, not only towards China, but more in general with regard to among others environmental questions, energy use and enterprise regulation, is able to monitor and assess developments in China and their impact, especially on the EU.

Therefore a thorough analysis of the issues at stake is required and developments in a number of areas need to be monitored and assessed. For this purpose the project Europe-China Academic Network for Studies (ECAN) has been launched by the European Commission. The project will be implemented by a team of the European Institute for Asian Studies, consisting of Dr Willem van der Geest, teamleader, Dr Sebastian Bersick, political analyst and Dr Margot Schüller, economic analyst (from the Institut fur Asienkunde, Hamburg). 


GLOBAL OBJECTIVE OF THE ECAN PROJECT

To foster closer cooperation between the scattered European research institutions and the sources of information available within the contemporary China field.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

Production of briefs and papers on a range of most topical issues in the EU-China relationship.

To help Commission services in better defining their cooperation strategy and future policy with regard to China.

To further enhance/deepen and widen the EU-China relationship.

SERVICES TO BE DELIVERED

First, a stock taking will take place of available information on China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and on EU-China relations, focusing on the most relevant aspects in the last two years with special regard to economic policies, the impact of China's rise; policy developments in China, and  China's policy strategy in the region.

Second, well-focused papers will be produced on topical issues (see below). On the basis of a number of these papers the contractor will participate in workshops/brainstorming sessions with staff of the EU institutions.

The most important subjects for papers/presentations will include:

China's economic strategy and its outward foreign investment behavior
The impact of China's rise on EU competitiveness
The impact of China's rise on world commodity markets and transport capacity
Human Rights in China, prospects for change?
EU-China relations: prospects and recommendations
Taiwan and cross-Strait relations and the possible role for the EU
Hong Kong/Macao: which scenarios for future?
The Role of the Party in governing China and prospects for political reform
The Chinese Administrative System - Procedures and Concepts.
Corruption and the Changing Social Fabric in Chinese Society.
Military modernization and the role of the PLA in the Chinese foreign policy

Third, the contractor will also contribute to updating and improving the quality of the information on the RELEX website related to China, Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan and to EU-China relations. A dedicated website will be created for this project.