The geopolitical story of the last few years has featured Western democracies’ gradual awakening to the realities of an increasingly ambitious and authoritarian China.
European countries have gone from competing with each other to be China’s best friend to sharing the view that China represents a profound, multifaceted challenge.
For example, on global issues such as climate change, European governments must now find a way to work effectively with a difficult partner. On economic and technological issues such as artificial intelligence, China has emerged as a fierce competitor. And on human rights, democracy and the role of the state in the economy, it is now seen as a “systemic rival.”