The EU officially describes its relationship with China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor, and a systemic rival. In this episode, Dr Lola Woetzel joins us to unpack what that framing actually looks like in practice, and whether rivalry is the most useful lens to understand the relationship.

Hosted by Francesca Pala, we discuss the current state of EU-China relations, where cooperation remains possible, especially on climate, how European engagement is perceived from the Chinese side, and what 照镜子 (zhào jìngzi), looking in the mirror for self-examination, might mean for both sides moving forward.

We also explore China's rise in global technology and what that means for European competitiveness, market opportunities for European green business in China today, and whether there's a more constructive framing of the relationship, one that does not necessarily require zero-sum winners and losers.

Dr Woetzel draws on her own experience navigating both business and policy across the two regions, reflecting on areas for cooperation and what that process of self-examination might look like for European institutions in the years to come.