The European Union should strengthen its attitude towards China and consider this country as a total competitor with limited areas of potential interaction.
This is stated in a document prepared for member states by the EU foreign policy service, the Financial Times writes.
The document indicates that the EU should work more closely with the US, strengthen its defenses against cyber and hybrid threats, diversify its supply chains away from China and deepen ties with other states in the Indo-Pacific region.
"China has become an even stronger global competitor for the EU, the US and other like-minded partners. Therefore, it is important to assess how best to respond to current and projected challenges," the document states.
The document highlights the significant deterioration in EU-China relations since the existing policy towards Beijing was agreed in 2019, a deterioration marked by trade disputes, retaliatory sanctions and a series of failed attempts to find areas of mutual agreement.
According to officials, China's support for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine, its threats against Taiwan, the attitude of human rights in Hong Kong and the treatment of the Uyghur minority are all important events that have occurred since the EU formed its existing policy, which require rethinking.
The document will be discussed by foreign ministers at a meeting in Luxembourg on Monday and is set for a debate on China at a summit of EU leaders starting on Thursday.
