complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, China persists in seeking a
peaceful solution based on dialogue and consultation, while the EU and the USA
hope that the international community, especially China, can impose more pressure
and sanctions. Evidently, disagreements on this issue occur between China and the
Western world including the EU. One of the important causes for these disagree-
ments is that China and the EU are in different situations and thus have different
interests. North Korea is one of China’s neighboring countries. China has to con-
sider not only the goal of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, but also the
best way to achieve this goal, different impacts on the security and stability of
China and Asia according to the different ways of dealing with the issue. Therefore,
China becomes more prudent in imposing sanctions and other pressures.
5.4 Possibility for Further China-EU Cooperation
in the UN Security Council
Notwithstanding disagreements and difficulties, further effective cooperation
between China and the EU is and will be very crucial for improving the efficiency
and effectiveness of the UN Security Council, and there is also a foundation for
cooperation between the two sides. Therefore, both sides should make joint efforts
to deepen their cooperation on the UN Security Council. Both sides should and can
further cooperate there.
The most fundamental way for deepening and promoting China-EU cooperation
in the UN Security Council lies in reaching cooperation consensus and establishing
some principles of cooperationfirst rather than simply exerting pressure on the
other party. Only principles jointly recognized by both sides serve as the basis for
both sides to be able to enter into long-term cooperation; overall cooperation
between the two sides is not affected by an individual event.
China-EU cooperation in the UN Security Council is different from bilateral
cooperation since the former is based on international laws, follows a multilateral
mode and does not merely serve bilateral interests, as it is designed to address
global issues with long-term significance. Based on this, cooperation between the
two sides should be conducted by giving priority to the following principles.
5.4.1 China-EU Cooperation Should Be Based
on Generally-Accepted International Laws
China and the EU should uphold the principle that the legitimacy of actions taken
by the UN Security Council is reinforced on the basis of respecting international
laws including theCharter of the United Nations. Legitimacy is the fundamental
guarantee for effective exercise of powers and functions by the UN and all other
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