Fifth, theélites shared similar views with the common people on most of the
issues; theélites also had some differences with the common people; in general, the
élites were more rational than the common people. The common people were more
positive about the current situation than theélites, while the élites were more
positive in terms of the degree of favorability and future prospects. For example,
with respect to the positioning of relations, the proportion of common people who
considered the EU as a“friend”and a“partner”was much higher than that of the
élites who considered the EU as a“friend”and a“partner”. Theélites were more
optimistic about prospects for China-EU relations than the common people.
Sixth, according to surveys conducted by the Chinese Academy of Social
Sciences, such factors as different information channels and different identities and
backgrounds affected Chinese perceptions of the EU. On selection of information
channels, the TV, newspapers and the Internet played the leading roles. The
Chinese understanding of the EU had been more and more affected by these three
media. Different identities and backgrounds also increasingly affected Chinese
perceptions of the EU. Generally, those with a higher education degree and a higher
income, experience in studying, working or traveling in the EU were more positive
about bilateral relations, especially about future prospects.
10.9 Analysis of the Formation of Chinese Perceptions
of the EU or Factors that Influence Them
10.9.1 The General Environment of China-EU Relations
Affected Chinese Perceptions of the EU
China-EU relations advanced amid contradictions and cooperation in the period
2006 – 2010. The years 2003 and 2004 were the“honeymoon period”for cooper-
ation, during which bilateral relations reached an all-time high; surveys on bilateral
relations conducted by Western public opinion survey agencies showed that large
European countries had relatively good impressions of China. Although official
bilateral relations changed in 2006–2007, the “honeymoon period” in public
opinion still continued. However, the general public was aware of many problems
in bilateral relations and“good perceptions”declined from 2008. The EU still took
no actual actions towards two traditional issues including recognition of China’s
market economy status and lifting of the ban on arms sales to China; although both
sides strengthened communication in thefield of human rights, the EU did not stop
criticizing the human rights situation in China; with regard to the issue of climate
change, although both sides reached a certain consensus in the Copenhagen
International Climate Conference in late 2009, there were also relatively serious
disagreements; in thefield of economics, in order to reverse its trade deficit with
China, the EU used non-tariff barriers more frequently including antidumping,
intellectual property protection, etc. to restrict China’s exports to the EU; they also
198 L. Zuokui