CRI听力:Mixed Opinions Regarding Upcoming EU-China Summit

Experts agree that both the EU and China want to have mutual access to each other's markets, but Jonathan Holsag, head of research at the Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies, says he believes that the EU is viewed by China as a loose fabric of member states that are collectively immature on the international stage, adding that the EU is having trouble convincing China that it can provide a stable investment.

"We also have to agree on the terms of support, Chinese support, for the struggling Eurozone. I think there the challenge is to give sufficient guarantees to the Chinese government that ultimately they will see their money back, implying government guarantees from stronger European member states."

Holsag claims that last year's summit did not end well, leaving uncertainty and reservations between the two sides. He said he now fears this misunderstanding may carry over to next week's summit.

"I think what is most important for this summit meeting is that both sides restore confidence - especially the last year has not been easy - I think that at the summit both sides will essentially agree to continue to talk, and that would already be a big achievement."

According to Holsag, China would indeed benefit economically from a strong, unified European Union, and even may use it as a diplomatic counterweight against the US.

Despite this, says Holsag, China and the EU still have trouble seeing eye-to-eye, as perception problems often have taken the lead role in their interactions. For instance, Holsag described how he believes China views the EU as "a bunch of spoiled, declining nations," referring to the sense of entitlement he believes China perceives as coming from the EU as they clamor for Chinese investment.

Conversely, Holsag claims the EU is frustrated with China's perceived slowness to respond meaningfully to demands, as well as their refusal to emerge from the so-called shelter of old and outdated policies and values.

"I would say we have rising anxiety and nationalism on the two sides. The European Union is fairly nervous about China towering above it, at least economically, but on the other hand also from the Chinese side the viewpoint that we expect unreasonable things from the PRC, and that also China has to stand up more clearly and assertively to defend its interests. So we have that on two sides, I think that we definitely narrow the maneuverability and scope for our leadership to make compromises."

However, not everyone shares Holsag's bleak outlook. Feng Zhongping, director of the Institute of European Studies at the China Institutes of Contemporary International Relations, believes the shakiness of the EU is only temporary, mainly afflicting the few weaker member states, such as Greece, and thus not representative of the EU as a whole.

"We forget easily, and the other countries like Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the major states, the main countries, their economies are quite healthy, actually very strong. I don't think we should be misled by one country's problem because we are looking at Europe as a whole."

Xin Hua, research fellow and Director of the Centre for European Union Studies, says he thinks despite their differences, the EU and China would be unwise to not strike out a deal, and China, at least, is more than willing to do so.

"Certainly we have some different points of view towards some international issues. But what is more important is that the two parts can't afford a very obvious, public confrontation facing the entire international community. Such kind of political determination will certainly be reflected in the upcoming summit meeting."

Experts agree that both China and the European Union have much to gain from strong cooperation. What remains to be seen, however, is if they can find a common ground next week in Tianjin.

For CRI, I'm Jonathan Alpart.