challenge to the influence and power of discourse of the International Energy
Agency, with the EU as a major member. On the issue of energy, the relationship
between China and the EU is not zero-sum, but characterized by the coexistence of
cooperation and competition. China and the EU both rely greatly on external energy
and have similar directions in the strategic development of energy. There are both
competitions and strategic opportunities for mutual learning and common devel-
opment in investment in traditional energies and development of new energies.
China and the EU have the same or similar viewpoints and standpoints about
increasing cooperation between oil-producing countries, oil-consuming countries
and oil transit countries in global energy governance reform and within the G20
framework. China-EU cooperation in thefield of energy is of strategic significance
to the future development of both China and the EU.
In the governance of coping with global climate change, China and the EU both
play an important role, and cooperation between China and the EU is highly sig-
nificant to global climate governance. This report shows that in the process of
negotiating the rules concerning global climate, such as the Framework Convention
on Climate Change and the Tokyo Protocol, there is contest and competition
between China and the EU regarding the aspects of the distribution of responsibility
for greenhouse gases, emission reduction goals and planning, climate funds,
applicable scope for measurability, reportability and verifiability; but, at the same
time, cooperation between China and the EU has been developing. In the negoti-
ations on climate agreements, China and the EU experienced the three phases of
limited cooperation, open cooperation and mutual dependence. Developing a
low-carbon economy through emission reduction, carbon transaction and clean
energy technology is the long-and-medium-term strategy of the EU, while guar-
anteeing energy security, protecting the ecological environment and leading eco-
nomic transformation are China’s existing policy objectives. In thefield of global
governance, China and the EU have the opportunity of becoming integrated into
each other’s development strategy, thus realizing the objective of development and
win-win results, and of becoming strategic partners.
1.5 Examining the Aspect of Being“Comprehensive”
in Bilateral Relations with EU Member States
in the China-EU Strategic PartnershipThe structural features of China-EU relations are reflected mainly in two aspects:
first, it is restricted by the limited authority of EU institutions; second, it is influenced
by the interaction of power among different parts of the EU, especially between the
EU and its member States. Therefore, although China and the EU have set up the
“three pillars”of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, broadening bilateral
relations between China and EU member States for the purpose of“comprehensive”
development of such a strategic partnership is absolutely necessary.
1 An Overview of the China-EU Strategic Partnership (2003–2013) 15