Editor's Note: This article is part of Preview Policy Report for the 2018 China-EU Summit, which will be jointly published by China Watch Institute — the new think tank platform powered by China Daily — and Bruges-based EU-China Research Centre of the College of Europe.

Many people asked to describe relations between the EU and China would easily jump to a conclusion describing them as animosity.

Indeed, it seems that EU officials compete among themselves labeling China as an almost predator state seeking to conquer European continent using the ancient Roman logic of divide et impera policy. Accusations are closely connected with the time when China proposed the 16+1 mechanism of cooperation with Central and Eastern European countries. Neglecting the fact that those countries were, in case of EU member states considered as a second grade members; or, in case of those seeking EU membership, were left to endlessly knock on the EU’s door, “Old Europe” was predominantly self-centered, unwilling to change its perspective wider including sense of “the other(s)” as an equal partner, and fairness and justice as a modus operandi.

At the same time, in spite of ambiguous reflections about China, the EU couldn’t ignore that China’s indisputable growing influence on the global scale arose from tremendous and steady domestic development. In a world of rising uncertainty and complexity, in the world of, more or less, perpetual crisis, China and its strong leadership represent an example of success in international relations that can’t be ignored and deserves full attention.

Considering all internal and external challenges that the EU is facing now, the existing mechanism of 16+1 could be seen as an advantage in relations with China.

Firstly, new types of cooperation, and win-win cooperation should be the basic element of future cooperation. All doubts and reservations must be removed; this type of cooperation doesn’t include any behind-the-scenes talks.

Discussions about all issues of mutual interest must be held in an atmosphere of trust while discussion concepts should be created by experts from both sides. Their expertise should be innovative and reform oriented since “reform and innovation are the fundamental driving force of human progress while those who reject them will be left behind and assigned to the dustbin of history”.

China’s framework of thinking and vision is that a desirable model of cooperation between countries should be based on openness that guarantees progress and development for entire mankind.

This framework of cooperation must therefore uphold the five principles of peaceful coexistence, respect the social system and development path independently chosen by each country, respect each other's core interests and major concerns, and follow a new approach to state-to-state relations featuring dialogue rather than confrontation, and partnerships instead of alliances. In that respect, refraining from seeking dominance and rejecting a zero-sum game is also crucial.

Because improving living standards of ordinary people is vital, economic cooperation is of crucial importance by managing differences and working together to secure stable development.

Promotion of dialogue and shared responsibility are the key to an integrative approach that will realize win-win cooperation.

Ivona Ladjevac is head of Regional Center “Belt and Road”, Institute of International Politics and Economics in Belgrade, Serbia. The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of China Watch.

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