From the Introduction. The European Union (EU) and China are both central actors in international affairs,
collectively accounting for almost 40% (in current market prices) of the world’s gross
domestic product (GDP).1
While addressing the key global challenges of the 21st
century increasingly requires an entente between these two actors, their relationship
is often plagued by conflicting interests. Whether or not the EU will grant market
economy status to China still looms largely in the trade relations of the two; the EU
is still yet to lift its arms embargo on China; and they also differ in climate action
responsibilities, to name a few
