Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Finbarr BerminghamJanuary 31, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Full pivot or anxious hedge? Europe’s leaders flock to China

AI Summary

short article 1 min

European leaders are increasingly traveling to China, signaling a potential shift in diplomatic focus. This flurry of visits, which began in late 2023, includes leaders from Spain, France, Britain, Ireland, and Finland, with Germany expected to follow. The increased engagement with China occurs amidst strained transatlantic relations and uncertainty surrounding the future of NATO. Some speculate Europe is strategically building leverage with China as an outside option in negotiations, similar to Canada's approach. However, the situation is complex, and these visits may represent a series of cautious hedges rather than a complete pivot away from the United States.

Keywords

china 100% europe 100% transatlantic relationship 80% pivot 70% international relations 60% hedge 50% us 50% foreign policy 40%

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Neutral
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Source Transparency

Source
South China Morning Post
Political Lean
Center-Right (0.50)
Far LeftCenterFar Right
Classification Confidence
90%
Geographic Perspective
Europe

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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