China and Europe together could break the mould of global politics
Europe is politically more akin to China than America can ever be, says Geneva-based sinologist
Lanxin Xiang. He describes here the steps the two partners should take to become the poles in a new system of international relationsT
he spectre of a neo-Yellow Peril haunts Europe, and the battle cry "Beware of the Chinese!" can be heard almost everywhere. China is supposed to be scheming to split the transatlantic relationship through its cunning diplomacy over the arms embargo issue, and is also suspected of deliberately setting out to destroy Europe’s traditional industries. Most remarkably of all, China is seen to be seeking to dominate in regions like Africa where Europe has long had a leading role. All in all, China is viewed as the source of global energy panic, environmental apocalypse, Europe’s high unemployment rates and, of course, avian flu or whatever pandemic may next appear.