COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course explores the history and politics of Sino-European relations from 1949 to the present, examining the role played by these dynamics in the transformation of the international system from the Cold War to today. The Cold War was characterized by the supremacy of the United States and the Soviet Union, an initially divided and weakened Europe, and the progressive move away from bipolarity toward multipolarity, given the increasing relevance of Asia and especially China. This advanced class analyses the influence of the great power rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union on the development of relations between Europe and China, as well as the influence of these same relations on the superpowers, their policy-making processes, their strategic choices, and the international system itself. It moreover explores the living legacy of these dynamics in contemporary Sino-European relations.

SUMMARY OF COURSE CONTENT

The course analyses the development of bilateral relations between China and the countries of Europe across time. It explores these dynamics not in isolation but rather as part of a matrix of relations informed by the bipolar structure of the international system during the Cold War. While the dominant historical narratives have dwelt mainly on the supremacy of the two superpowers, or, at best, on the relationship between the United States, the U.S.S.R., and Europe, the class focuses instead on the relationship between Europe and China. Through an engagement with the most innovative scholarship, combined with a diverse methodological toolkit, the course provides students with a comprehensive exploration of Sino-European relations. It critically analyses the most recent Western and Chinese Cold War historiography with a focus on Mao’s foreign policy strategy and its presence in the People Republic of China's diplomatic practices today.

LEARNING OUTCOMES

• Students will learn the relevant historical and political background for grasping the evolution of Sino-European relations and for thinking about its current and possible future trajectories.
• Students will become familiar with a range of analytical tools for exploring Sino-European relations and great-power politics.
• Students will gain a concrete understanding of the challenges and opportunities which public or private European institutions face in their enagements with contemporary China.

Grade A characteristics:

Work of this quality directly addresses the question or problem raised and provides a coherent argument displaying an extensive knowledge of relevant information or content. This type of work demonstrates the ability to critically evaluate concepts and theory and has an element of novelty and originality. There is clear evidence of a significant amount of reading beyond that required for the course

Grade B characteristics:

This is highly competent level of performance and directly addresses the question or problem raised. There is a demonstration of some ability to critically evaluate theory and concepts and relate them to practice. Discussions reflect the student’s own arguments and are not simply a repetition of standard lecture and reference material. The work does not suffer from any major errors or omissions and provides evidence of reading beyond the required assignments

Grade C characteristics:

This is an acceptable level of performance and provides answers that are clear but limited, reflecting the information offered in the lectures and reference readings.

Grade D characteristics:

This level of performances demonstrates that the student lacks a coherent grasp of the material. Important information is omitted and irrelevant points included. In effect, the student has barely done enough to persuade the instructor that s/he should not fail.

Grade F characteristics:

This work fails to show any knowledge or understanding of the issues raised in the question. Most of the material in the answer is irrelevant.

Grade scale

A = 94- 100% B = 84-86% C- = 70-73%

A- = 90-93% B- = 80-83% D+ = 67-69%

B+ = 87-89% C+ = 77-79% D = 60-66%

C = 74-76% F = 0-59%

COURSE SCHEDULE

1) Intro  (January 18th, 2022) 

This is the introduction of the course. It will be divided into five parts:  1) introduction of the Professor’s profile and main research; 2) introduction of the course content & methodology ; 3) Q&A; 4) a conceptual introduction to the course: we will try to trace first back the concept of Europe to its ‘Asian’ origins and, following its path towards the West, will try to identify its progressive transformation by underlying the dynamic of conflict with the ‘others’ as its main defining feature; 5) class discussion.

2) Europe & Asia: from polarity to fusion (January 25th,  2022)

This lecture addresses the ‘return’ of Europe to Asia after the ‘Great Divergence’ through the powerful legitimation of the notion of ‘progress’ and its corollaries: ‘revolution’ and ‘reform’. It is based on two historical ‘movements’ the Asianization of Europe and the Europeanization of Asia, as the pillars of a new futurist transition towards an Hegelian synthesis of Eurasian identity, symbolized by the ‘One Belt, One Road’ project.

 3) China, Europe and the superpowers in the Cold War (February 1st,  2022)

This section will provide an introduction to China’s role in the Cold War from its foundation in 1949 to the end of the Cold War in Asia. The analysis will focus on China’s mutant relations with the superpowers: the rise and demise of Sino-Soviet alliance in 1950s and 1960s and the Sino-American détente and semi-alliance of 1970s and 1980s. A special emphasis will be given to the new process of ‘socialization’ between China and the West activated in the 1970s through the combination of Deng Xiaoping’s reform and opening and Brzezinski’s China policy. 

4) At the roots of China’s Foreign Policy: Sino-European relations in Mao’s Intermediate Zone Theory (February 8th,  2022)

This section will deepen the analysis on China’s role in the Cold War by looking at Mao’s intermediate zone theory and Europe’s position within it. Mao’s vision will be analysed in its evolution from 1950s to 1970s and it will be taken as main interpretative key to assess the long term continuity of China’s foreign policy and its approach to Europe as a geopolitical actor. 

5) Socialist & ‘Intermediate’: Sino-Eastern European relations (1950s-1980s) (February 15th, 2022)

This section will restrict the focus on the relations between the main ‘third actors’ of the Cold War, namely Europe and China. It will begin with a conceptual overview on Sino-Eastern European relations from 1950s to the end of 1980s and then will analyse China's relations with Hungary & Poland.

6) Sino-Balkans relations: Albania, Jugoslavia & Romania from the Cold War to the 17+1 (February 22nd, 2022)

An analysis of China’s relations with the Balkans from the Cold War until today. A specific attention will be given to China’s relations with the three socialist countries that proved to be more independent from the Soviet Union, namely Albania, Jugoslavia and Romania. 

7) Sino-Western Europe relations: the Sino-British case (March 1st, 2022)

In this segment we will introduce the role of Sino-Western European relations within the broader spectrum of the Cold War. We will then take the Sino-British case as a useful model of Western European ambiguity towards the PRC in the 1950s and a typical example of the political effect that China’s attraction as a trade partner created on the course of European China policies during the Cold War.

8) Mid-Term exams (March 8th, 2022)

9) Sino-French relations: revolutionary diplomacy (March 15th, 2022)

The normalization of diplomatic relations between France and China was the crossroads between two separate historical courses: the ascent of the People's Republic of China as it sought for a new sphere of influence and autonomy in the international system and the decline of a European colonial power like France, which found it difficult to adapt to the demise of the Euro-centrism of the post-war era. As Malraux prophetically said during his trip to China in 1965, "300 years of European energy are fading while the Chinese era begins."

Sino-French normalization had a profound symbolic result: it signalled the beginning of a new socialization between China and the West, a socialization driven this time by Beijing’s proud search for independence in international relations.

10) Sino-Italian relations (1945-1992): the importance of marginality (March 22nd, 2022) 

This lecture aims to analyze the evolution of Sino-Italian relations from the foundation of the PRC to the end of the Cold War, with a special focus on the construction of the official relationship from 1970 to 1992. The presentation will be divided in three parts: a critical reflection on the historical context that set the ground for the evolution of Sino-Italian relations between the 1950s and the 1970s; an assessment of the historical impact of normalization; and a reconstruction of the main dynamics in bilateral relations between 1970 and 1992.

 11) Sino-German (GDR-FRG) relations: a triangular conundrum (March 29th, 2022)

 In this week the course will touch upon China’s curious relationship with DDR and FRG both in the Cold War context in 1950s and then in the crucial decade of 1960s vis-à-vis the Sino-Soviet split. The 1970s will be taken in particular consideration as the decade of the Ostpolitik and the Helsinki Process and the beginning of intra-European détente whose effect deteriorated China’s posture in Central Europe.

12) China and the European Union: from the Cold War until Today  (April 5th, 2022)

In this lecture we will look at China’s relations with the European Community from its foundation with the Rome. Treaties in 1957 unity today. An analysis of Sino-EEC relations during the Cold War will be followed by a overview of China-Eu relations in the most recent period.

13) The BRI: China’s XXIst century pivot to the Euro-Mediterranean region (April 12th, 2022) 

This lecture will focus on the growing importance of the Euro-Mediterranean region in China’s future strategy and the function of the BRI within it.  

14) TEAM WORK: How is the BRI being implemented/perceived in Europe and what Europe can do to better cope with it? (April 19th, 2022)

 15) Public Roundtable: Trends and challenges of Sino-European relations at the eve of the XXth CCP Congress (April 26th, 2022) TBC

16) FINAL EXAM (May 2-6, 2022)