Pressing Europe to think beyond Euros and Cents

ICT works hard in our European offices (Amsterdam, Berlin and Brussels) to reach out to European policymakers on Tibet. It’s never an easy thing to do, especially since the degree of institutional analysis on China in the EU is less than that in the United States.

There are a few reasons for this. First, the EU remains a gathering of 27 separate member states, each with its own bureaucracies and national interests. So despite the EU’s size and population, the lack of a federalised government or a single foreign policy means that China analysis remains parochial and, at the same time, spread out across Europe.

Secondly, whereas the US has strategic interests in the Asia-Pacific region, the EU member states view their relations with China primarily in terms of trade (you can argue that the UK and Portugal still show some interest in their former colonies, Hong Kong and Macau). This means that China analysis focuses on trade imbalances, anti-dumping, protectionism and so on. It was precisely this lack of strategic overview that sleepwalked the EU into regional problems a few years ago when some European leaders started to talk fondly of lifting the EU’s arms embargo on China. Looking only to cash in on trade with China, the EU neglected the views of Washington, Tokyo and Taipei – all of whom have great unease about increased sales of sophisticated weaponry to the PLA.

Europe needs to consider the strategic, political and human rights elements of China’s rise more seriously and to conduct analysis comprehensively. To assist in that effort, ICT has launched a new website at www.tibetpolicy.eu specifically targeting the needs of European policymakers and policy organizations seeking a central point to gather insights on Tibet. The website will cover the following areas: 

• News on the situation inside Tibet, as well as how developments in China might impact Tibetan areas

• ICT research reports, as well as external analysis and online video documentaries

• News of international political developments related to Tibet, with a particular focus on Europe

• Policy recommendations from ICT on specific issues, such as the Tibetan economy or EU presidencies

Key components of ICT’s work are policy advocacy and monitoring what is happening inside Tibet. This website merges ICT’s research and policy perspectives so governments and the wider policy community have a trusted resource designed specifically to help inform their decisions on Tibet and China.

To visit the new website, go to www.tibetpolicy.eu and let us know what you think.

(Photo Caption: The European Union: 27 members and counting)