北大国际战略研究院-_ISSUE-52_--EU-China-Peace-and-Security-Forum-_-A-Brief-Summary_8页_666kb

EU-China Peace and Security Forum Summary

Core Content

The "EU-China Peace and Security Forum" was held on September 19, 2017, by the Institute of International and Strategic Studies (IISS, PKU) of Peking University and the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR). The forum focused on three key areas: security-development nexus in Africa, conflict resolution and peace-building in Afghanistan and Syria, and the nuclear non-proliferation agenda, particularly regarding North Korea and Iran.

Main Issues and Key Points

I. Security-Development Nexus in Africa

• Trends in African Conflicts:

  • Conflicts are becoming more complex, involving civilian targets and police forces.
  • Fragmentation of armed groups makes counter-terrorism and conflict resolution difficult.
  • Transnational dimensions of intrastate conflicts are increasing.
  • Peacekeeping forces face challenges in relations with host states.

• EU-China Cooperation:

  • Joint efforts are needed to enhance information exchange and international cooperation.
  • China's role is increasingly recognized, though its military involvement remains modest.
  • The EU and China should focus on long-term cooperation, including joint training, combating organized crime, and counter-piracy.

• African Engagement:

  • African interests must be central in any trilateral cooperation.
  • China is willing to contribute more if the cooperation is led by Africa.
  • A shift from interest-promoting to interest-protecting in security and development assistance is observed.

II. Conflict Resolution and Peace-Building in Afghanistan and Syria

Afghanistan

• China's Engagement:

  • China's involvement is primarily in economic and development assistance.
  • Security cooperation has increased, especially with Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan.
  • China participates in peace talks through the Quadrilateral Coordination Group (QCG), which includes Afghanistan, the U.S., Pakistan, and China.

• EU's Engagement:

  • European involvement has decreased due to security concerns and preference for an Afghan-led peace process.
  • Potential areas for future cooperation include disaster relief and professional training.

Syria

• Nature of the Conflict:

  • The Syrian war began as a civil conflict but evolved into a regional and international war.
  • The region's geopolitical importance, energy resources, and strategic differences among major powers are key factors.

• Western Policy Critique:

  • Western countries, such as the U.S., have made mistakes in their interventions, like the Iraq and Libya wars.
  • Lessons from these experiences are important for future actions.

• China and EU Cooperation:

  • Both China and the EU should coordinate to prevent the U.S. from unilaterally withdrawing from the Iran nuclear deal.
  • The scholar emphasized the need for a united front and risk-sharing among major players.

III. Nuclear Non-proliferation Agenda

North Korea

• Strategic Importance:

  • Denuclearization is a top priority for the U.S., China, and other regional countries.
  • A nuclear-armed North Korea could lead to a regional arms race and undermine U.S.-China relations.

• Challenges in Denuclearization:

  • North Korea's leadership sees nuclear weapons as a symbol of national prestige and security.
  • The country is less vulnerable to external pressure and more adaptable to isolation.
  • Traditional deterrence and economic sanctions are ineffective in halting nuclear development.

• China's Position:

  • China's stance is "No nuclear weapons, No war and No chaos".
  • However, the North Korean nuclear issue is not China's top priority due to domestic concerns.
  • China is willing to support a "no-test" policy and other direct measures to curb North Korea's nuclear ambitions.

Iran

• EU-China Cooperation:

  • The EU and China should present a united front on the Iran nuclear deal.
  • China's unique relationship with Iran makes it a key player in the negotiations.

• Differences Between Iran and North Korea:

  • The Iran nuclear deal involves non-Middle Eastern countries, while the North Korean issue is dominated by regional neighbors.
  • The scholar suggested referring to the negotiations as "P2 + 5" instead of "P5 + 1" to reflect this regional nature.

Key Recommendations

• Strengthen trilateral cooperation between China, the EU, and Africa with an African-led approach.
• Enhance EU-China coordination in peace and security matters, especially in Afghanistan and Syria.
• Develop a tailored strategy against North Korea's nuclear development, including a "no-test" policy.
• Promote risk-sharing and mutual trust among major players in nuclear non-proliferation efforts.
• Encourage policy dialogues and track II mechanisms to support African capacity building.

Conclusion

The forum highlighted the importance of a holistic approach to peace and security, emphasizing the need for cooperation between the EU and China, especially in addressing regional conflicts and nuclear proliferation. It also underscored the necessity of African leadership in trilateral initiatives and the significance of considering both state-centric mechanisms and societal responses in security and development strategies.