China's Approach to European Crises: Brexit and COVID-19

Abstract

As a rising power, China has become increasingly interested in many problems in its region and on a global scale. China's investments in Europe and its strong economic relations with European economies have greatly increased its interest in Europe. In this context, in this study, China's approach to two case studies that have had a very serious impact on Europe in the recent period is discussed. These two events, which have both political and economic effects on the European Union and European countries, are Brexit and COVID-19. In this study, how China approaches these two events and what policies it implements will be shown. China's post-Brexit relations with the United Kingdom and comments on Brexit will be also shown. In the other case study, China's aids to European countries in the COVID-19 process and the image it wants to establish with these aids will be discussed. China's approach to these two events will be shared through the discourses of Chinese officials, especially Chinese leader Xi Jinping, and from the literature. As a result, it will be mentioned that China supports countries that need and cooperate with European countries based on economic relations in major crises.

Citation

Aras, İ. (2023), "China's Approach to European Crises: Brexit and COVID-19", Günar, A. and Saygın, D. (Ed.) The European Union in the Twenty-First Century, Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 223-231. https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-80382-537-320231016