Europe’s incoherent ‘China threat’ posture is a threat to itself

Beijing is cast as an enabler of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while its “assertive behaviour” in the South China Sea threatens European and Indo-Pacific security, stability and prosperity. The document, “Common Understanding: The Threats and Challenges We Face”, was approved by foreign ministers on July 13 among a long list of decisions.

Yet as of now, China’s industrial scale, technological ambitions, commercial leverage, control of critical raw materials, Russia partnership and Indo-Pacific conduct form a single threat assessment. In March, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas suggested that this position paper will underpin the forthcoming European Security Strategy, linking defence, energy and supply chains.