Group 1 - A rare wave of diplomatic activity is occurring in Beijing, with leaders from Ireland, Finland, and the UK visiting, signaling a strategic shift as Europe turns its focus towards the East [1][2] - The catalyst for this shift is the perceived decline of trust in the US, as articulated in the new US National Security Strategy, which has been described by European media as a "divorce agreement" [3][5] - The US is accelerating its withdrawal from European security commitments, planning for Europe to take over NATO's conventional defense by 2027, which raises concerns about US reliability in the face of potential conflicts [5][6] Group 2 - Europe is seeking alternatives to US dependency, with China emerging as a viable option due to its economic size and technological advantages in sectors like renewable energy and AI, aligning with Europe's needs for green transition and industrial upgrades [6][7] - The recent visits by European leaders to China are not about aligning with a new bloc but rather about pursuing strategic autonomy and finding stable, predictable partners amid the fracturing US-Europe relationship [7][9] - The trend of looking East is just beginning, as Europe aims to secure more agency and options in a rapidly changing global landscape [10]
欧洲集体“向东看”
Sou Hu Cai Jing·2026-01-29 10:13