The European Council on Foreign Relations

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Commentary pieces on China by ECFR experts

Europe’s relationship with Beijing will largely be determined by the emerging “special relationship” between China and Germany. However, the rest of Europe must find ways to help Germany be a good European in its relationship with China – or risk being cut out of the loop.

20 Apr 12 - Jonas Parello-Plesner

How to extend Burma’s Spring

The EU is due to decide on Monday whether to lift sanctions against Burma. Instead of lifting all sanctions the EU should follow a gradual approach and focus on targeted assistance and an ambitious social-responsibility framework for European companies.

20 Mar 12 - Mark Leonard

What the rise and fall of Bo Xilai tells us about China's future

Bo Xilai, a colourful politician who brought prosperity to a Chinese backwater, was too ambitious for the Politburo's grey men.

10 Feb 12 - Jonas Parello-Plesner

Grading the voice of Europe - Merkel in China

Merkel’s recent visit to China was meant to assure Chinese risk-averse leaders that Europe is back on track. But the visit was also a part of the mosaic that makes up European foreign policy towards China.

19 Jan 12 - Jonas Parello-Plesner

Burma is changing, so where is Ashton?

There are encouraging signs that the junta ruling Burma is starting to reform, and the country has been visited by Hillary Clinton and several top politicians from Europe. The EU's foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, also needs to pay Burma a visit, and soon.

12 Jan 12 - Daniel Korski

The year of the HUBRICS

With Europe and much of the West facing a seemingly painful decline, attention continues to shift to the BRICS and the world's other rising powers. But are these countries overplaying their hands as the cracks begin to show in their economic virility?