China is no longer merely the world’s factory. It has become a major scientific, technological, economic, military and diplomatic power. Even European institutions now acknowledge China’s rapid expansion in high-tech manufacturing and technological capability, while Europe struggles with competitiveness, energy costs and industrial decline.
So what exactly has Europe been doing? While Brussels debated rules, targets and strategies, Beijing built industries, infrastructure, supply chains and geopolitical leverage. China has not simply joined the table; my argument is that it has effectively taken Europe’s former seat. The central global relationship today increasingly revolves around Washington and Beijing—not Washington and Brussels.
“China spent twenty years building the future. The Berlaymont spent twenty years in the cafeteria designing models to discourage the European people.”
- Eni Versalis, Head Pimp, Berlaymont Cafeteria
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