Instead of asking how Europe can succeed without China, the real question is how to build a collaborative partnership with the crucial ally driving global green innovation.
Our upbringings, rooted in traditional views of global power have shaped how many of us understand the world. The U.S. was seen as the visionary leader and protector of the free world, with Europe as its intelligent but somewhat subordinate partner, and China merely a global production hub. The rest of the world was often overlooked. However, this landscape has drastically shifted.
Western media has long portrayed China in a negative light, a perception that remains prevalent today. Attitudes toward China are increasingly unfavorable, particularly in North America and Europe, as revealed by a
Yet, despite these negative perceptions, Western countries continue to conveniently source manufacturing and goods from China. The country is now viewed with growing concern as a serious economic competitor that must be reckoned with.
It was never a competition
China has come a long way from being merely the world’s production factory. According to The World Bank China’s GDP has increased on average by 9 percent per year since 1978 and lifted 800 million people out of poverty,. These developments were accompanied with improvements in health and education.
While the growth rate of real GDP is projected to decline from 5.24% in 2023 to 3.31% in 2029, this deceleration still surpasses most developed economies. Such statistics are often cited because they are tangible, comparable, and easy to understand. However, these figures only capture outcomes, not the underlying developments that possibly have led to the current state.
On the other hand, some statistics and developments invite interpretation and creative thinking about what those developments might mean for the future. For example, China leads the share of global high-impact scientific papers in disciplines that are likely to shape the 21st century such as materials sciences, chemistry, engineering, computer science, and environment & ecology, according to . China’s spending on research and development has grown 16-fold since 2000.
China is also at the forefront in research, technological advancement, and production of electric vehicles and renewable energy sources. They dominate the global value chain of raw materials, mining and processing globally, accounting for 70% of rare earth concentrates, 87% of processing and 91% of refining. These developments, coupled with strategic industrial policies implemented toward the end of the 20th century, are now coming to fruition and are likely to reshape the global order in a significant way.
The question should not be how the EU can do it without China, but rather how they can collaborate with China in the best possible way, without ostracizing the very partner, they so heavily rely upon.
No green dream without China
Europe’s green dream dies without China’s cooperation. In the race toward a sustainable future, Europe finds itself at a critical juncture. The European Union (EU), through the Green Deal has set ambitious goals to achieve net-zero emissions and transition to renewable energy.
However, there lies a profound challenge: the significant dependency on China for green technology and materials. While Europe strives for a greener future, it must acknowledge that achieving these sustainability goals without China is not only unrealistic but also potentially detrimental to its ambitions.
At the heart of Europe’s green transition are technologies essential for renewable energy and electric vehicles. According to the European Commission, the EU set targets to be a climate-neutral continent by 2050. However, achieving these goals requires vast quantities of renewable energy infrastructure and green technologies, including solar panels, wind turbines, and batteries - all of which are heavily reliant on Chinese manufacturing.
Attempting to achieve a green Europe without China is like trying to build a house without all the necessary materials. While Europe can invest in alternative suppliers or develop domestic mining capabilities, all these initiatives face ethical, environmental, and economic challenges. The time, resources, and political capital required to establish resilient supply chains outside of China could result in significant slowdown in the energy transition.
A vital partner
According to the World Economic Forum, China's dominance in solar panel production accounts for over 80% of global manufacturing and over 70% of lithium-ion batteries. Without access to these crucial technologies, Europe risks jeopardizing its sustainability objectives and further delays.
The EU’s goal of achieving sustainability without China is not only unrealistic but absurd. China's dominance in the production of essential green technologies, like solar panels and batteries, has positioned it as a vital partner in Europe’s energy transition. While Europe could invest in alternative supply chains or develop domestic capabilities, such initiatives would require significant time, resources, and political will.
As such, collaboration with China in an open and pragmatic way remains crucial for Europe to meet its climate goals, ensuring both can work towards a sustainable, greener future.
References:
International Energy Agency. (2023). Global EV Outlook 2023: Accelerating ambitions despite the headwinds. Retrieved from IEA
Zhang, Y. (2020). China’s Role in the Global Supply Chain for Renewable Energy Technologies. Renewable Energy Review, 15(2), 85-98. DOI:10.1016/j.rer.2020.01.006
European Parliament. (2021). EU-China Cooperation on Climate Change and Environmental Protection. Retrieved from European Parliament
World Economic Forum. (2021). How China Became the World’s Dominant Solar Power Manufacturer. Retrieved from WEF