cooperation focuses on suchfields as the economy and trade, agriculture, the
environment, energy, etc. Not only does EU-US cooperation surpass China-EU
cooperation by far with respect to the degree of close engagement, the level of
social participation and the maturity of institutionalization, but the EU and the USA
have also upgraded the New Transatlantic Agenda established after the cold war to
the Transatlantic Council, the third pillar of EU-US relations, in 2011, and have set
the goal for establishing a transatlantic common market. Recently, both sides have
initiated intense negotiations concerning the Transatlantic Trade and Investment
Partnership (TTIP) in preparation for building an“economic NATO”with moves
not only to lead the world in suchfields as information technology, new energy, the
new generation manufacturing industry, medical technology, etc., but also to
develop a set of exclusive rules beyond the WTO system. More than 50 dialogue
platforms have been established between China and the EU, among which not a few
platforms address sensitive topics and issues concerning global strategies; however,
some platforms are highlighted more in form than in substance due to unclear
overall objectives and directions. China and the EU resolve their differences and
build consensus mainly by means of exchanging information and coordinating
opinions; moreover, cooperation between the two sides is fostered mainly among
government agencies, while the market and social forces have not yet been effec-
tively mobilized.
The special nature of EU-US relations consists in a relatively complete legal
framework and treaty system which govern these relations. The EU and the USA
share a common legal tradition and judicial culture. Current international laws
originated in Europe, while the USA has played a leading role in implementing and
updating international laws after the Second World War; the EU and the USA not
only enjoy a rich experience in adopting international laws as a means for foreign
contacts, but they also work together closely at it. China passively accepted and
applied international laws only after the Opium War, and China is more inclined to
adopt political dialogues and bilateral negotiations in foreign-related activities. As
of January 1, 2011, the EU and the USA had signed 61 valid bilateral treaties, while
the number was only 9 between China and the EU, showing a significant difference
in the number of treaties. When it comes to the scope and nature of bilateral treaties,
the EU-US bilateral treaties cover extensive issues including trade, scientific and
technological cooperation, space cooperation, atomic energy, energy, defense,
education, judicial assistance, customs cooperation, etc., and they enjoy higher
operability. Though China-EU bilateral treaties also involve trade, scientific and
technological cooperation, space cooperation, atomic energy, customs cooperation,
sea transport, tourist visas and thefight against the source of drug production, etc.,
most of these treaties are framework or principle-related ones. In thefields of
economics and trade, 24 treaties have come into force between the EU and the
USA, while only one treaty, namely the 1985EC-China Trade and Economic
Cooperation Agreement, governs both China and the EU. With regard to defense,
the EU and the USA share secrets and have developed common rules for infor-
mation security, indicating that transatlantic defense relations have evolved to a
relatively high stage. Though China and the EU have launched dialogues
1 An Overview of the China-EU Strategic Partnership (2003–2013) 21