Borrell barking up the wrong tree: China Daily editorial

As one with a rich political experience, European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell should have known the harm his flip-flop tongue could cause to his reputation as a credible politician. But Borrell, an aeronautical engineer, economist and mathematics teacher by training, seems to believe otherwise — as if airing the EU's oscillating China policy is his only responsibility.

China does not want a bullhorn conveying the hustle and bustle of a noisy chamber. It does not want a nose of wax either. A reliable dialogue partner, who can handle complicated issues prudently, with a clear mind and always keep the bigger picture in mind, is what it wants.

Despite his visit to China — strategically scheduled by both sides on April 13-15 just before his April 16-18 trip to Japan for the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting — being canceled after he tested positive for COVID-19, his trip to Japan was not affected.

Since early last month, to the disappointment of those eager to see improved Sino-EU relations, Borrell has played fast and loose with China-related issues on several occasions. He even went to the extent of urging EU member states to send warships to navigate through the Taiwan Strait to "signify Europe's commitment to freedom of navigation in this absolutely crucial area".

In a speech he would have delivered at the Center for China and Globalization had he visited China, Borrell said: "The primary foundation of our relations should be mutual knowledge and respect … I am not here to give lessons or advice to China. I have too much respect for its independence and sovereignty."

If he really meant what he wrote, he would not have provoked Beijing on the Taiwan question — a sequelae of the US-dominated G7 foreign ministers' meeting — because upholding the one-China principle that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China forms the political foundation of Sino-EU relations. By doing so, Borrell demonstrated that he does not care about China's sovereignty or core interests.

It is his parroting of Washington's line that has rendered his later efforts — including his statement on Friday that, "We the Europeans should have our own way of facing China … we should not be against the way of China, and China will become a great power like it or not" — to repair the damage ineffective.

Upholding its strategic autonomy is the only way the EU can avoid being caught in the China-US disputes, which, in fact, will also be in the interests of all sides.

More important, Borrell should know that the Taiwan question is by no means something that the EU should or can pressure Beijing to compel it to use its good relations with Moscow to help end the Ukraine crisis. There is no logic behind such a political move, because it is the United States that has instigated, supported and prolonged the Russia-Ukraine conflict to tighten its grip on the EU, weaken Russia and isolate China.

Borrell is simply barking up the wrong tree.