European Union step up its influence in Indo-Pacific region, claims it’s not “anti-China”

The 27-member alliance wants to use the budding plan to show Beijing that is against the spread of authoritarianism.

The European Union, on Monday, resolved to step up its influence in the indo-pacific region, using areas from security to health to protect its interest and counter China’s rising power, although the bloc insists that its strategy is not against Beijing.

To demonstrate to Beijing that it is against the spread of authoritarianism, the 27 member bloc, led by France, Germany and Netherlands, wants to adopt some promising strategies. The European foreign ministers stated that the bloc considers that European Union should “reinforce its strategic focus, presence and actions in the indo-pacific”.

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It should be based on the “promotion of democracy, rule of law, human rights and international law,” EU ministers added further. Meanwhile, the diplomats say that the plan was not “anti-China”. The bloc wants to deepen ties with countries such as India, Australia and Japan.

The plan, which is a 10-page document, will now be followed by a more “detailed” strategy in September. The foreign ministers agreed at a video conference, saying that they would prefer to work with “like-minded partners” to sustain basic rights in the Indo-Pacific region. 

The execution of the plan could mean a higher diplomatic stance of the EU on indo-pacific issues, more EU manpower and investment in the region. Finally, it may also result in a greater security presence such as dispatching ships through the South China Sea or establishing European personnel on Australian patrols. Though all the details of the plan are yet to have concurred. 

While not mentioning China in great detail, the European Union declaration is indeed a “code for support” of US President Joe Biden’s policy towards China, amid the growing concerns that Beijing is pursuing “technological and military modernization” that tend to imperil the West and its trading partners in Asia.

The European Union diplomats want the organisation to be active in the Indo-Pacific so that the countries in the region are not left with a difficult choice between Beijing and Washington, whose relations are turning adversarial day after day.

The EU will further develop its partnerships and strengthen cooperation with like-minded countries, and relevant organisations in the field of security and defence. “This will include responding to challenges related to international security, including maritime security,” the EU statement added.

The bloc is hungry for new trade and sees the Indo-Pacific region as a lucrative proposal for business. However, it is unclear how far the European Union is willing to go on security issues. It listed commitment to seek free trade deals with Australia, Indonesia and New Zealand. Meanwhile, the German foreign minister has warned the European union of “missing out” after China and other Asia-Pacific countries signed the world’s largest trade agreement, effective from 2002.

The EU document also stated that the bloc wanted to sign an investment treaty with China, that both sides agreed upon and are in favour of it since the end of 2020.