Divide et Impera: Chinese growing influence in Europe

Sino-European relationship unfolds especially on the economic and trade fields, yet, due to the economic crisis currently affecting Europe, EU has seen her negotiation power decreasing. Beijing is trying to get advantage from European current weakness trough an economic offensive mostly directed to the new EU members. The Chinese strategy seems to be focused on a “Divide et Impera” model and exploits the contrasts between EU members. As a reaction, European Commission is calling members to be more unite and to unanimously stand in front of China, with the purpose to defend European common interests. Brussels’ reaction, however, seems to be myopic and ineffective, causing vociferous reactions from new members, as showed by the China-CEE summit recently hold in Bucharest