A China policy is not an Asia policy, but no Asia policy is without a China policy

Abstract

The EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy and its strategic partnerships in Asia spell out areas of cooperation where the EU can contribute in deeds, not words, to remain a regional player in its own right and capabilities. Adding an Indo-Pacific leg to the Transatlantic one would strengthen both the EU and the US but needs reciprocal efforts and recognition. The EU approach strives to avoid binary choices for its members as well as partners in the US-China competition with the goal to foster stability. Pursuing its interests, the EU needs partners in the Indo-Pacific and has to devote the necessary means of its own liking to achieve them, also referred to as strategic autonomy.