| Abstract |
In the Post-Cold War era, the shape of international system has been changing into the ˇ§One Super Power with Multiple Powersˇ¨ which differs from the ˇ§Bipolar Systemˇ¨ in the Cold War era. Due to the new situation, states have to adjust their foreign policies. This thesis, based on theories of Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism, is focused on the bilateral foreign relations between PRC and European Union (EU).
The diplomatic relations established between PRC and EC in 1975 and the ˇ§EC-China Trade and Cooperation Agreementˇ¨ in 1978 did not help to tighten the bilateral relations in the Cold War era. Considering the multi-faced factors such as economy and politics, etc., EU finally realized the importance of the Asia and PRC in the early 1990s. Since 1995, EU had announced six documents regarding its China policy: ˇ§A Long Term Policy for China-Europe Relationsˇ¨ in 1995, ˇ§Building a Comprehensive Partnership with Chinaˇ¨ in 1998, ˇ§Report on the Implementation of the Communication "Building a Comprehensive Partnership with China" COM(1998)181ˇ¨ in 2000, ˇ§EU Strategy towards China: Implementation of the 1998 Communication and Future Steps for a More Effective EU Policyˇ¨ in 2001, ˇ§Country Strategy Paper 2002-2006ˇ¨ in 2002, and ˇ§A Maturing Partnership - Shared Interests and Challenges in EU-China Relationsˇ¨ in 2003. EU upgraded PRC to be one of six global strategic partners in 2003. To carry out its China policy, EU appealed to political and human rights dialogues, economic and trade relations, and EU-PRC cooperation.
PRCˇ¦s rapid economic growth in the early 1990s attracted EUˇ¦s attention. PRC, in pursuit of continuous economic development and enhancement of its international prominence, happily accepted the friendliness expressed by EU. In order to develop good relations with EU, PRC made flexible changes in terms of internal and external policies.
Despite the fact that the PRC-EU relations were significantly improved in the Post-Cold War era such as EU surpassed the US in 2004 as PRCˇ¦s greatest trade partner, some disagreements remained in the areas of human rights and economic interaction. Therefore, the common goal and priority of cooperation between PRC and EU was to pursue ˇ§economic and trade interests,ˇ¨ whereas ˇ§same bed, different dreamsˇ¨ continued in universal value and strategic interests because of difference emphases.
Both Neo-Realism and Neo-Liberalism have their limits in interpreting the overall situation between PRC and EU. Kenneth Waltzˇ¦s Neo-Realism, stressing the international system and national interests, is ideal for this thesis subject but can hardly explain the yet-to-be-established balance of power, economy and cooperation. On the contrary, the Neo-Liberalism perfectly interprets the economic and trade interaction, cooperation, and institution between PRC and EU, but is limited in detailing the long-term PRC-EU relations since WWII. |
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