Relations between China and Europe have undoubtedly been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and its economic impact. The Comprehensive Agreement on Investment signed at the end of 2020, for example, marks a change of pace in the pursuit of the Union's economic interests towards Beijing. At the same time, the EU Parliament has shown growing concern with issues such as human rights and political freedoms in China, even considering "targeted sanctions". The opposing stances taken by EU institutions add to the UK's search for a space in the post-Brexit and post-Trump international system, as well as to a worsening perception of China's international presence in most European civil societies. Where do we stand today? What will relations between Europe and China look like in 2021? How will the EU balance economic and political interests with China?
