The growth of European Union (EU) and Its Direction after the “9·11” Incident

1. The September 11th Incident has stimulated the awareness for self-strengthening through alliance among the Europeans and helped accelerate and enhance EU development and integration of Europe.After the September 11th Incident, people are wondering whether peace in Europe can be fully secured and are paying more attention to such issues as the development of EU and the future of Europe. Shortly after the Incident, various discussions upon issues in relation to Europe have been revitaliz…     

Reemergence of the ＂Germany Issue＂ in Europe Ding Yuanhong

The history of Europe has always been closely linked with the rise and fall of Germany during the past century or so. In Europe, the ＂Germany Issue＂ has all along been an important issue of universal significance to various countries in the region. After experiencing successive onslaughts of global financial crisis and sovereign-debt crisis in Europe, situation in Europe has been undergoing a number of major changes, among which the most striking one is Germany asserting itself as Europe＇ s No.1 power in the wake of the crises. Therefore the fate of the Euro Zone and the future of the European integration will invariably hinge on Germany. No other European country can play a more important role in the future development of Europe than Germany. In this sense, today＇s Germany is bringing forth once again the ＂Germany Issue＂ in Europe.     

Putin''''s Strategy of Integrating Russia into Europe and Its Prospect

The establishment and rapid rise of the European Union (EU) have increasingly made Europe an independent force. Objectively, the enlargement of both the EU and NATO has speeded up the process of European integration, and "One important link of Russia's diplomacy is     

The Development of EU-Russian Relations

The EU＇s strategy for Russia since the end of the cold war has to a large extent failed, and the direct consequences are the currently deadlocked EU-Russia relationship. There are three reasons for this： the EU and Russia＇s respective strength and status relative to each other have been changing since the beginning of this century; the EU＇s strategy towards Russia has been more fragmenting in recently years; and the American factor. The EU-Russia relations could continue to be in poor shape in the years to come, and it is very likely sometimes even further worsening. But the two sides would refrain from extreme measures and prevent their relations from sliding into real cold war.     

Difficulties and Prospects of Serbian Transition

As the main successor of the former Federal Republic of Yugoslavia,Serbia since 2000 has made transformational adjustments in politics,economics and diplomacy,aiming to make friends with members and nonmembers of the EU and overcome the troubles that resulted from being isolated by the west.Currently,the transition in Serbia has achieved initial results,yet it still faces many difficulties.Its economy has experienced ups and downs,coupled with high unemployment and political instability.The expected Balkan tiger1 has been reduced to a relatively backward country in Central and Eastern Europe.There are profound reasons for the difficulties experienced in Serbia's transition,with many challenges lurking in the future.     

European Energy Security Challenges and Solutions

On January 7, 2009 just as Europe was in the midst of a very cold winter, Russia turned off the gas taps to Ukraine, a major transit corridor for Russian gas into Europe. Gas shortage has been reported in more than 20 countries,     

Economic Integration vs European Balance of Power

The fifth round of the EU enlargement on May1,2004turns thelong-cherished"utopia"of a unified Europe into reality through apeaceful,economic approach.This paper attempts to make some ex-plorations on the following issues:Why the option for an economic ap-proach?What changes have taken place in the nature and behavior ofthe relevant nations?What impact will the event have on European sta-bility and balance How will the EU keep equilibrium through sys-temic mechanisms in case of inter-state …     

Economic Integration vs European Balance of Power

The fifth round of the EU enlargement on May 1, 2004 turns the long-cherished “utopia“ of a unified Europe into reality through a peaceful, economic approach.① This paper attempts to make some explorations on the following issues: Why the option for an economic approach? What changes have taken place in the nature and behavior of the relevant nations? What impact will the event have on European stability and balance?② How will the EU keep equilibrium through systemic mechanisms in case of inter-state disputes so as to lay the political groundwork for a peaceful unification.……     

The Future of the EU and Sino-EU Relations

Since the end of 2009,sovereign debt crises have erupted one after the other in Greece,Ireland,Portugal and Spain.Until now,the EU has not been able to keep this run of debt crises in check.Anxieties over the future of the European Union and the eurozone are mounting.American historian Walter Laquer has argued that economic decline,diplomatic weakness,and internal tensions could lead to the collapse of the EU.1 Philip Stephens,columnist for the Financial Times,wrote:"At the opening of the millennium the European Union seemed a confident role model.The assumption was that the postmodern multilateralism symbolized by the euro would be exported to rising nations and regions.Now there are questions as to whether Europe itself can hold together."2 This paper aims to understand the current situation and the future of the EU by examining the European sovereign debt crisis and its socio-political impact on European integration.It also analyzes the reasons behind the worsening of the debt crisis,the future of European integration,and China's policy toward Europe.     

Chinese Public Diplomacy toward Europe： Goals, Progress and Challenges

As a leader of international public opinion, Europe often dictates the Western view of China. Unfortunately, Europe has long been one of the regions that hold the most unfavorable view of China. To "deploy political influence, economic competitiveness, an attractive image and moral force in diplomacy," as Chinese President Hu Jintao advocates, China must heed Europeans’ perceptions and establish a stable and positive image of China in Europe through public diplomacy. Since Chinese public diplomacy has not yet achieved encouraging results in Europe, China has to review and improve its efforts.     

Weakened by ＂Looking Inward＂

Economists called September 11, 2001 "a day that has transformed the world." Today, however, Europeans will tell you that their lives have been even more greatly influenced by the war in Iraq.Apart from this, Europe is also greatly impacted by its eastward expansion and economic globalization. As a result, the gap between the EU's global ambition and its real power further widens.     

China-EU Economic and Trade Relations in the Post-Crisis Era

Economic and trade relations play a significant role of engine in driving forward the strategic partnership between China ana the European Union （EU）. Although the financial crisis has given rise to global trade contraction and investment stagnation, and Europe also suffers the attacks of sovereign debt crisis, the economic and trade relations between China and Europe have shown considerable resilience thanks to the economic stimulus packages of both sides.     

Ukraine＇s Unfolding Political Drama and its Implications

Ukraine is a geopolitical pivot in the Eurasian grand chess game. Russia deems it as the core belt in its rivalry with the US and Europe, and the crux to its rejuvenation, while the US and Europe view it as an important component in containing Russia. Because of this, after the Cold War, Ukraine has always been one of the key states prone to the geopolitical rivalry between the West and Russia.     

The Rise of the Far Right in Europe and the Refugee Crisis

The rise of the far right in Europe has captured the attention of the international community in recent years.Its specific features are:an unprecedentedly strong influence,an obvious trend towards the moderate line,horizontal collaboration to expand its reach,and a very adept use of social media networks.The refugee crisis has given the far right an historical opportunity.The rise has also had a profound effect on European politics;it has deepened the political divide inside EU member states,and shaken up the traditional political values and the foundation of the union.The rise of the far right will likely not change Europe's political landscape,but problems of EU governance over its handling of the refugee crisis cannot be ignored.     

China-U.S. Economic Symbiosis Moving toward Symmetry

The symbiotic relationship between the Chinese and U.S.economies determines that the two countries have mutual strategic needs. For a long time, the United States has played a dominant role in this relationship, yet it has also been developing in a direction favorable to China. The current financial crisis has accelerated the development of this trend, which gives China more say and makes the United States give up its previous dominant posture and seek to build a more reliable and new pattern of relationship in which the two are in the same boat.     

THE BOSNIAN CIVIL WAR:RETROSPECT AND PROSPECT

The civil war in Bosnia-Herzegovina is an ethnic-cum-religious war.Since itsoutbreak in March 1992,the war has become fiercer and fiercer and is nowthe biggest war in Europe since the end of the Second World War.Upto now,hu-man death toll has risen to more than 140 thousand,and more than two millionpeople have become homeless,with a direct economic damage amounting to overone hundred billion US dollars.All the efforts made by the international communi-     

EU Prospects after the European Debt Crisis

The painful throes of the debt crisis placed a spotlight on the European Union. The parliament election of May 2014 saw various extremist candidates come forward to express popular dissatisfaction, and the economy in the Eurozone remains fragile. Though the sovereign debtcrisis has subsided, the effects of the crushing debt will continue for a time and the direction the EU must take in the post-crisis years will be on behalf of a wholly different Europe.     

Retrospect of and Prospects for the European Situation in 2014

In 2014,Europe was embroiled in both internal and external crises.Economic growth was lower than expected and the democratic and welfare systems,considered"reducers of social pressure,"were overwhelmed.This gave rise to the continuous growth of ultra-right and ultra-left forces,which challenged the traditional rules of democracy and its functioning.Crisis broke out unexpectedly in Ukraine,and went from bad to worse,and external risks such as IS and the Ebola epidemic continued to ferment,adding further pressure on Europe.Economically,EU recovery remained fragile and weak.Although it has now emerged from the debt crisis,it is currently experiencing a"growth crisis."The EU and the Eurozone were expected to grow by just     

Institutional Building vs Parity Maintenance

Contradictions and clashes of interests have been permanent among the EU partners. They may even increase after the recent round of enlargement. Stability and equilibrium cannot be possibly sustained by economic interdependence and accommodations alone. So the EU members have learned to handle state relations with laws, treaties and consultation mechanisms, which offer institutional guarantees for checks and balances and power sharing. Such an institutional community based on the unification through integration model will play a vital role in ensuring endurance, fairness and transparency of the organization.……     

The Clash in Public Opinion between Europe and China： What, How and Why

Recent years have seen a tension between Europe and China in public opinion, which began in 2006 and climaxed in 2008 when the Tibet riots and the Beijing Olympics put China under the global spotlight. Europeans and Chinese view each other more negatively than in ＂the good old days＂ and there is a growing perception gap regarding the Chinese government. The media （including the Internet） and public opinion leaders （scholars, human rights activists, dissidents, politicians and diplomats） have played a part in causing this both in Europe and in China, and this paper examines their roles. This paper also identifies three reasons behind the clash of viewpoints： First, lack of common values has exacerbated Europe＇s fear of a rising China; second, both Europe and China use this hostility to help redefine their self-identity; third, different development needs in China and Europe have nurtured very different mindsets. In the future, the European public＇s interest in China will continue to grow and Europe＇s and China＇s perceptions of each other will gradually stabilize. In the long run, whether Europe will accept a rising China depends on China＇s ability to develop a ＂Chinese thinking＂ which suits both China＇s and the world＇s development needs.