The European Union and China in the Indo-Pacific: Navigating Convergence and Competition Under Shifting Global Tides

Source: ZHONGSHAN China

Commentary by Li Yang, Executive Director, ICES

January 12, 2026 (published); May 2025 (Written)

ICES is pleased to share the piece written by Yang Li, our Executive Director, in Diplomatic World on The European Union and China in the Indo-Pacific. In it, Mr Yang explores the recent evolutions of the European Indo-Pacific strategy and the Chinese Asia-Pacific strategies, and what the differences of perception of these waters and territories mean in practice. Beyond normative differences, both entities have much to gain in the region by upholding multilateralism, climate cooperation, institutional dialogues and international law.