A Comparative Analysis of China and the EU’s Conceptualisation and Implementation of Policies towards the Global South

Abstract

The concept of the Global South originates from developing countries and the idea of the Third World. Additionally, the international influence and power of the Global South have increased significantly in global governance discussions. China, which has evolved from a position in the ‘middle ground’ to becoming the ‘largest developing country,’ is considered part of the Global South. China is contemplating the prospect of strategically intensifying its collaboration with the Global South, conceptualising and orchestrating the Global South as a cornerstone of its diplomatic strategy. The EU must adapt to the changing multipolar global landscape and address the rising influence of the Global South. Current academic discussions focus on the emergence of the Global South and its impact on the international arena. These conversations also examine the policies of major powers – such as China, the United States, Russia, and India – toward the Global South, as well as the political and economic importance of the Global South’s development. This has enhanced the international politics and political economy implications of the Global South, but a comparison of the Global South policies of different countries is lacking. Accordingly, this article will elucidate the discrepancies in China and Europe’s conceptualisation of the Global South and investigate the divergences in strategic objectives, methodologies, and priorities for collaboration between China and the European Union in this region. Theoretically, this approach can facilitate the expansion of research into China-Europe relations. From a practical standpoint, the Global South represents a novel avenue for China-EU collaboration and a crucial instrument through which China can pursue its objectives in conjunction with the EU.