1. Contemporary Chinese Views of Europe
- Author:
- Karine Lisbonne-de Vergeron
- Publication Date:
- 11-2007
- Content Type:
- Working Paper
- Institution:
- Chatham House
- Abstract:
- Undoubtedly, the Chinese currently think of Europe, and of the European Union, primarily in economic terms. Since 2004, the EU has been China's first trading partner, accounting for 15% of its overall external trade in 2006, with a bilateral increase of 25% from 2005. Overall, bilateral trade between China and the EU has increased more than sixty-fold since 1978 to reach nearly €255 billion in 2006. In return, China is the EU's second largest trading partner, after the United States, and in 2006 became the largest source of EU imports, amounting to approximately €192 billion, or 14.4% of the total, a 21% increase from 2005. Over the same period, EU exports to China increased by 23% to approximately €63 billion.
- Topic:
- Civil Society, International Political Economy, and International Trade and Finance
- Political Geography:
- United States, China, Europe, and Asia