The Rise of China in Europe: A Challenge to Integration?

Abstract

This paper discusses the impacts of the “rise of China” on European integration. Challenges facing European integration are now among the most important issues followed closely by those who are interested in the development of the European Union. This paper, regarding European integration as a process in which a European “international society” emerges and then evolves, proposes an analytical framework to analyze the rise of China as both a centripetal force for and a centrifugal force against European integration by examining how common interests and conflicts of interests among European countries over such controversial issues as human rights in China, arms embargo against China, and increasing Chinese investment in Europe would affect European countries’ efforts to turn Europe into a highly integrated international society.
As this paper demonstrates, whether and how either of the two forces for and against European integration will become stronger than the other would determine the direction where European integration might move and therefore is worth more examination in future research.