This chapter analyses the impact of COVID-19 on EU–China relations and explores its implications for the Belt and Road Initiative. COVID-19 has accelerated some of the contradictory dynamics that have characterized EU–China relations in the last few years. China has proven to be a necessary partner and crucial provider of medical supplies, but it has also deployed a more assertive, and at times aggressive, public diplomacy which has reinforced advocates of moderating dependency from China inside the EU. The pandemic has fostered EU calls for a more balanced relationship based on reciprocity and a level playing field and locked pending negotiations in a stalemate. It is also likely to impact the debates on supply chain diversification, monitoring of Chinese FDI, and restrictions on Chinese 5G providers. In this context, Chinese attempts to revitalize the Health Silk Road have been unsuccessful, and China has turned to a more conservative strategy to preserve the BRI’s (limited) advances in the EU. © 2022 selection and editorial matter, Vassilis Ntousas and Stephen Minas;individual chapters, the contributors.
COVID-19 and EU-China relations