James F. Downes, Mathew Wong and Man Hoo So argue that the EU-China relationship has evolved considerably over recent years into a growing global rivalry in 2023. They argue that whilst the EU has become more interventionist towards China in 2023, there exists large divisions within the core EU institutions alongside EU member states towards relations with China.

The crisis in Sudan is being used by China as a platform to gloat about its efficiency in evacuating citizens from the embattled nation, adding to the narrative that China hopes to create where it can become the world’s leading superpower.

Adjustments in European and American strategies may offer hope for a return to normal relations with China. The EU and U.S. should dump their political prejudices against China, take care of the common security of the world, try to remove risks and truly cooperate with China.

Managing uncertainties in China-U.S. ties will require the U.S. to accept all-around bilateral dialogue and exchanges between the two countries’ national leaders, experts, scholars and the general public. It needs to identify the true sources of significant disagreements and eliminate its misreading of China.

Setting up a new joint secretariat could be key to keeping engagement between the world's leading economies on track.

Brazilian President Lula da Silva traveled to Shanghai and Beijing in early April, where his delegation signed 15 agreements across a range of sectors, including several aimed at decreasing reliance on the U.S. dollar, U.S. agricultural exports, and U.S. financial institutions. These agreements represent Brazil and China drawing closer and providing alternatives to each other that can circumvent U.S. controls and norms.

China’s relationship with Canada has been suffering for the last few years under the weight of tit-for-tat sanctions and expulsions of officials. Whether or not the two countries will continue this descent will depend on China’s plans to influence policy abroad, and Canada’s appetite for confrontation with the world’s largest exporting economy.

China recently hosted the Central Asia summit, while Japan simultaneously held a meeting between G7 leaders. Both summits were successful on their own terms, and both teach us something about the geographic and political realities of the two respective host countries.

Europe is altering its China policy to reduce reliance on vital technologies, while seeking a balance between protecting its interests and fostering cooperation. And by shifting the relationship, we have the opportunity to heal divisions, and prioritize shared interests that have been, expressed, ultimately benefiting everyone involved.

Tensions between China and the West are being reinforced as assumptions about economic cooperation give way to national security rhetoric. Broad decoupling would be too difficult and costly for the West, while selectively reducing dependence on China in critical areas is seen as a more achievable goal.