China’s influence on socio-economic and political life in Europe

Abstract

The impressive economic ascent of China started in 1978 gradually led to an alteration of the international order and to a new geopolitical situation, in which China became a protagonist. Although the impressive economic result came with some costs, the incredible progress gained through the economic liberalization has inevitably raised China’s political and economic influence across the globe. In particular, this work aims to define the motivations and range of measures driving China’s influence-seeking activity in Europe. The present study builds on the assumption according to which global influence power structures have become increasingly complicated over the last decades. The first chapter presents definitions for the concept of ‘influence’ and gives an overview on current global redistribution of international power. The second chapter delves into the evolution of China-EU relations and examines the various dynamics underlying their progression to date. In the third chapter, throughout the observation of the most recent developments, I will try to deepen the goals and motivations driving China’s expanding clout in Europe, starting from the analysis of domestic objectives gradually moving to external ones. In the fourth chapter, in an attempt to highlight Beijing’s approaches and tactics to advance its objectives, I will provide a set of concrete examples showing China’s influencing tools employment , on the basis of the categorization proposed by the Mercator Institute for China Studies in the report: Authoritarian Advance: Responding to China’s Growing Political Influence in Europe. Finally, in the fifth chapter, in order to explore some of the effects that China is attaining in Europe, I will eventually try to measure the impact of China’s influence in the Mediterranean area, focusing in particular on the role played by Italy in relation to the Belt and Road Initiative project. Responding to China’s current momentum requires a deep understanding of the critical issues defining the Beijing political, social and economic situation, alongside with a clear view of the main interests pushing Chinese efforts in Europe. Only with such understanding can European societies craft responses that safeguard the integrity of their institutions while staying true to liberal democratic values.