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China Investment Deal Seen as Test of EU Cohesion

Natalie Liu

   WASHINGTON - An investment deal agreed to in principle between the
   European Union and China at the end of last year is facing criticism
   both in and outside the EU. Analysts point to the expected approval of
   the deal as evidence of Beijing's uncanny ability to assess the power
   game within the EU.

   "If you look at China's policy, as far as we can tell, over the last
   decade, toward Europe, they're very much about dividing Europe into
   different sections -- Central and Eastern Europe [as one bloc], Germany
   and France and Britain when Britain was still part of the EU [as
   another bloc], very much focused on appealing to these countries'
   national economic self-interest. You know, it's worked," said Didi
   Kirsten Tatlow in a phone interview. Tatlow is a senior fellow in the
   Asia Program at the German Council on Foreign Relations in Berlin.

   Tatlow cited China's handling of its relationship with Germany as a
   case in point.

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