Unexploited Layer: The Sub-national Dimension of European Union Relations with China

Regional governments across the world actively participate in international relations. They open trade and cultural missions abroad, join international networks of cooperation, sign treaties and agreements with their partners from others countries. In case of rising tensions between national states, that might paralyze global governance, relations at the regional and local level rise to prominence. Fast growing network of sub-national contacts in the Sino-European affairs creates a new opportunity for the European Union to advance European interests, norms and values. Unfortunately the recognition of such a potential political instrument in Brussels is relatively weak. The main goal of the paper is to present how the EU could benefit from growing sub-national connections with China in the context of the growing tensions in the triangle consisting of the United States, China and Europe. Firstly, the phenomenon of fast growing cooperation on the sub-national level between Europe and China will be portray, on the basis of a survey conducted among regional authorities from 5 biggest EU member states (Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Poland). Secondly, the EU activities in order to promote and use ‘the third level’ of its relations with China will be presented, on the basis of interviews with the EEAS and the European Commission officials. Finally, the author will try to indicate the possible ways of benefiting from further development of sub-national contacts with China.