CRI听力:2010 Could be Stormy Year for China-EU Relations

It's been described as one of the most important international partnerships in the world, and one that some say is about to undergo considerable change. China's relations with the EU appears destined for changes this year as Brussels continues to transform the way it operates as a result of the Lisbon Treaty, which came into force at the end of last year. CRI's Dominic Swire looks into what this could mean for China-EU ties over the course of the year.

The Lisbon Treaty represents a major reorganization of how the European Union operates, most notably within the area of foreign affairs, and this is likely to significantly impact the bloc's relationship with China – some say negatively.

The idea behind the changes is to make communication with the 27-member bloc clearer, more effective and to increase the EU's voice on the world stage. Serge Abou head of the EU's Delegation to China, is certainly optimistic about the changes – but he believes this will depend heavily on China's reaction to the new relationship.

"My perception is that we will be more efficient – but you are not obliged to trust me. The proof will be in the pudding. We'll be more consistent, more clear, have a better general view, but it takes two to tango."

Clearly both the EU and Brussels have a lot riding on a successful partnership. The EU is China's biggest trading partner, and China is the EU's largest source of imported goods. Between them both sides generated well over 300 billion euros worth of trade in 2008.

However both are also embroiled in a number of high profile trade disputes, which some fear could be exacerbated now the EU has increased confidence on the world stage as a result of the Lisbon Treaty.

Dr Razeen Sally is a senior lecturer at the London School of Economics and an expert on the EU's trading relations with Asia.

"What might happen with a more important role for the European Parliament in trade negotiations is that the EU might insist more strongly than has done to date on including these none trade issues and linking them to trade issues. Now, of course, china is going to resist such linkage, say between trade and human rights, as it has done before, and this might be a cause of extra tension in the bilateral relationship."

Another major sticking point is the fact that the EU still refuses to lift its arms embargo on China, which has been in place since 1989.

The embargo is seen as largely symbolic, firstly because the strength of China's military does not depend on buying weapons from the EU. Secondly, and more importantly for Beijing, it groups China with other countries such as North Korea, Sudan and Myanmar.

Xing Hua, an expert on European affairs at the China Institute of International Studies explains further.

"We believe since China and the EU are already strategic partners, maintaining such an arms embargo is totally unfair. We know that there is only a very small number of countries that continue to be object of eu arms emb. China can't be treated by the EU in same way as three or four countries in world. It's totally unfair."

How exactly this and other disputes between the EU and China will be influenced by the Lisbon Treaty remains to be seen, but what's clear is that 2010 could be a very interesting year for relations between Beijing and Brussels.

Dominic Swire, CRI News.