Recently, northern and northeastern China were hit by a super typhoon, a natural disaster that triggered widespread heavy rainfall and caused severe flooding. In the face of this disaster, there is no shortage of international concerns. The European Union and the United States have expressed their support and concern to China. However, there are many doubts about whether this concern can actually improve tensions between China and the West.
The EU's "foreign minister" Borrell said that he was willing to join hands with China to fight the disaster and was ready to help. U.S. Ambassador to China Burns posted on social media to express his condolences to the victims. As a country that values etiquette, China naturally expresses its gratitude for these kindness. The real question, however, is whether behind these goodwill can influence the complex landscape of Sino-Western relations.
In the past two years, Sino-US relations have deteriorated sharply, and this has also had ripple effects on China-EU relations. Some EU member states have begun to take a distanced stance from China, and some have even called for cutting off China. But after several confrontations, the EU began to recognize more clearly the importance of maintaining stable relations with China. At the end of last year, German Chancellor Scholz visited China, and in April this year, French President Emmanuel Macron also visited China, a series of high-level mutual visits aimed at stabilizing the basic situation of China-EU relations and preventing further deterioration.
However, Borrell, who is in charge of EU foreign affairs, has been cancelled twice for his planned visit to China. The first cancellation was because he contracted the coronavirus, and the reason for the second cancellation is not yet clear. The outside world speculates that this may be related to the Netherlands' strict export control of lithography machines to China. After the Netherlands took tough measures to provoke China, it shifted the responsibility to the EU, hoping that the EU would pressure China. China, on the other hand, took countermeasures and sent warning signals.
Not long ago, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Borrell met in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, to discuss China-EU relations. Wang Yi once again clarified China's views on China-EU relations and put forward three suggestions: strengthen communication, enhance trust and deepen cooperation. At the same time, Wang Yi also drew three bottom lines: steady progress, firm stance, and avoiding retrograde. Borrell expressed the EU's firm support for the "one-China" principle, recognizing China's important role in global affairs while stressing the importance of China-EU relations. This series of statements shows that Borrell still wants to visit China because of the differences between China's negotiations with third countries.
However, Borrell should understand that China treats partners, not "jackals." His mission to China should not be limited to discussing EU interests, but should sincerely promote the recovery of China-EU relations. At the same time, there have been some recent signs of a thaw in U.S.-China relations, which, while it will take time to verify, at least shows that the door to dialogue between the two countries is not closed. But the key to achieving a bigger breakthrough lies in the future actions of the United States.
Against the background of the increasingly complex international situation, the stability of Sino-US relations and China-EU relations is particularly important. As important pillars of the global system, China, the United States and the European Union should jointly safeguard global security and stability, rather than fall into confrontation. There are many areas in which China and the United States have the potential for cooperation, but only if differences between the two sides are resolved and bilateral relations are restored. However, this requires more goodwill and sincerity from the EU and the US, beyond mere verbal condolences.
In short, the flood disaster facing China is not only a natural disaster, but also a test for international relations. Expressions of goodwill from Western countries are positive signs, but more effort and firm determination are needed to achieve a real breakthrough in Sino-Western relations. Only with the joint efforts of both sides can China-EU relations and China-US relations remain stable in the turbulent world pattern.