Global Governance: How Can China and Europe Work Together? 14–16 October 2010, Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bergedorf Round Table | Beijing Global Governance: PreliminaryHow Version Can China and Europe Work Together? 147th Bergedorf Protocol 147th Bergedorf Round Table Global Governance: How Can China and Europe Work Together? 14–16 October 2010, Aman at Summer Palace, Beijing In cooperation with the International Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China Content Conference Pictures 1 Protocol Participants 20 Summary 21 Welcome Address 23 Introduction by Helmut Schmidt 25 I. China 30 1. Challenges and Opportunities 30 2. Perspectives on the Rise of China 35 II. China and Europe 37 1. The Current State of Relations 37 2. The Potential for Future Cooperation 41 3. The Preconditions for Closer Relations 44 4. Agreeing on Values 51 5. Making Sense of Media Coverage 54 Annex III. Global Governance 58 Participants 85 1. Why Do We Need Global Governance? 58 Recommended Literature 94 2. Proposals for Reform 62 List of Abbreviations 96 3. The Global Role of the EU 70 Index 97 4. G 20 73 Previous Round Tables 101 5. Currency Policy 76 The Körber Foundation 115 Imprint 116 Closing Remarks 82 INITIATOR Prof. Dr. Liu Youfa Dr. Kurt A. Körber Vice-President, China Institute of International Studies (CIIS), Beijing CHAIR Ma Wenpu Dr. Richard von Weizsäcker Vice-Chairman, Foreign Affairs Committee, National Fmr. President of the Federal Republic of Germany People’s Congress, Beijing Sun Jiazheng Mao Rubai Vice-Chairman, National Committee, Chinese People’s Fmr. Chairman, Environmental and Resources Protec- Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), Beijing tion Committee, National People’s Congress; President and Director, Center for Nature and Society, Beijing MODERATORS University Li Jinjun Ambassador Claude Martin Vice Minister, International Department, Central Com- President, Conseil des Affaires Etrangères, Ministry of mittee (CC), Communist Party of China (CPC), Beijing Foreign Affairs, Paris Prof. Dr. Eberhard Sandschneider Dr. Thomas Paulsen Otto Wolff-Director, Research Institute, German Executive Director International Affairs, Körber Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP), Berlin Foundation, Berlin Prof. Dr. Zhang Yansheng Prof. Dr. Volker Perthes Director, International Economic Research Institute, Chairman and Director, Stiftung Wissenschaft und National Development and Reform Commission, Politik (SWP), German Institute for International and Beijing Security Affairs, Berlin Ambassador Dr. Michael Schaefer PARTICIPANTS Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Georg Blume People’s Republic of China, Beijing Foreign Correspondent, DIE ZEIT and die tageszeitung Paulo Vizeu Pinheiro (taz), New Delhi Senior Diplomatic Adviser to the President of the Chai Ye European Commission José Manuel Barroso, European Director, International Department, Guangming Daily, Commission, Brussels Beijing Prof. Dr. Wang Jiarui Prof. Dr. Chen Jin Minister, International Department, Central Com- Vice-Minister, Party Literature Research Centre, Cen- mittee (CC), Communist Party of China (CPC), Beijing tral Committee (CC), Communist Party of China (CPC), Dr. Klaus Wehmeier Beijing Vice Chairman of the Executive Board, Gernot Erler, MdB Körber Foundation, Hamburg Deputy Chair, Social Democratic Party (SPD) Wei Jianguo Parliamen tary Group, German Bundestag, Berlin Secretary General, China Centre for International Prof. Dr. Feng Zhongping Economic Exchanges, Beijing; fmr. Vice-Minister of Assistant President, China Institutes of Contemporary Commerce, Beijing International Relations (CICIR); Director, Institute of Dr. Rolf Wenzel European Studies, Beijing Head, Directorate-General Financial Market Policy, Dr. Werner Hoyer, MdB Federal Ministry of Finance, Berlin Minister of State, Federal Foreign Office, Berlin Christian Wriedt Huang Huaguang Chairman of the Executive Board, Körber Foundation, Director-General, Department for Europe, Hamburg Inter national Department, Central Committee, Jörg Wuttke Communist Party of China (CPC), Beijing General Manager and Chief Representative, BASF Huang Yong China, Beijing Deputy Director, International Department, Xinhua Yu Xiaoxuan News Agency, Beijing Deputy Director-General, Department for Europe, Dr. Huo Jianguo international Department, Central Committee (CC), Chairman, Chinese Academy of International Trade Communist Party of China (CPC), Beijing and Economic Cooperation, Ministry of Commerce Dr. Zhang Tao (MOFCOM), Beijing Director-General, International Department, People’s Hubert Knirsch Bank of China, Beijing Director, Office of fmr. Federal President Dr. Richard Dr. Zhang Wencai von Weizsäcker, Berlin Deputy Director-General, Department for Cooperation, Stefan Kornelius Ministry of Finance, Beijing Foreign Editor, Süddeutsche Zeitung (SZ), Munich Prof. Zheng Bijian Li Ruiyu Fmr. Executive Vice-President, Central Party School, Director-General, European Department, Ministry of Communist Party of China (CPC), Central Committee Foreign Affairs, Beijing (CC), Beijing Summary I. China There was general appreciation of the staggering development that went on in China in the last three decades, making a backward and isolated society into the most important rising nation in the world. However, it was mentioned that the country still has to overcome enormous social problems, especially with regard to the lagging of rural in comparison to urban areas. One Chinese participant directed attention to the importance China ascribes to climate policy, in which the country is both making headway with unilateral measures as well as sup- porting the conclusion of international agreements (pp. 30–35). The round table then addressed the question of how the world is reacting to China’s rising power. Several speakers saw growing mistrust against the People’s Republic in western countries, especially with regard to China’s readiness to observe rules that have been agreed upon internationally. A number of participants from China argued that reservations against their country were a legacy of the Cold War and had to be overcome (pp. 35–36). II. China and Europe The discussion of Chinese-European relations began with several speakers high- lighting the significance of the EU as the most important trade partner of China. It was noticed that the interests of China and the EU converge, not just in eco- nomic affairs but also in relation to political issues such as multilateralism as well as global and regional peace. This lead to a debate on the question of whether Chinese-European relations could be labeled a “strategic partnership.” Several par- ticipants were in favour of this denotation whereas others raised doubts, because such a partnership would imply the identification of very concrete political goals, something that, in their eyes, has not yet been achieved. One speaker expressed his hope that China would take on a stabilizing role in Central Asia, comparable to the role the EU plays in its own neighbourhood (pp. 37–41). While consider- ing the potential of future cooperation, a further increase in trade relations was sounded out just as the possibility of mutual efforts to curb climate change or to stabilize Africa (pp. 41–44). Weighing the preconditions for a functioning cooperation, several speakers emphasized that a real dialogue is dependent upon mutual respect and under- standing, which at times were missing on both sides. Appeals by a number of Chinese participants for lifting the EU arms embargo against China were rejected by European speakers; such a step would be premature (pp. 44–50). This was 21 followed by an exchange on how China and Europe will find common ground with regard to values. Several speakers drew attention to human rights as being the most difficult issue in Chinese-European relations. However, some participants from Europe emphasized a persistent Chinese readiness to talk on such contro- versial matters as well as China’s accomplishments in other areas (pp. 51–53). Several speakers from China accused western media of distorting the reality in the People’s Republic in their coverage while European speakers stressed that journa- lists play different roles in the respective systems (pp. 54–57). III. Global Governance While discussing the question on how much significance China and the EU ascribe to global governance, a consensus emerged that both sides strongly support the existing multilateral structures. The UN was described as an indispensable body when it comes to developing international rules and to negotiate conflicting in- terests (pp. 58–62). A longer debate ensued on how to increase the legitimacy of international institutions. There were a number of detailed suggestions, including the redistribution of voting rights to the benefit of more populous or economically weaker countries as well as strengthening the position of particular institutions such as the WTO (pp. 62–70). The round table then directed its attention to the EU and its role in the world. In light of what they considered an insufficient har- monizing of European foreign policy, several participants expressed their doubts on whether the EU could counterbalance the emerging dualism between China and the US. However, speakers from China expressed their confidence that imple- menting the Treaty of Lisbon could put the EU in such a position (pp. 70–73). The growing significance of the G 20 in global governance drew a lot of atten- tion. Some participants praised the reaction of the G 20 to the financial crisis and argued for an increased role of the group in political matters as well, while others remained