THE IMAGE OF THE PRC IN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES FROM 2012 TO 2019
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.29038/2524-2679-2023-01-61-74Keywords:
the PRC, Europe, country’s image, public diplomacyAbstract
Typical characteristics of the PRC’s image among Western countries are the con- tradiction in the perception of Asian country that is shown is the positive evalu- ation of Chinese history and culture, but negative associations regarding its go- vernment. Majority of countries in Western Europe percept Asian country-partner in more negative light, while in the Central European countries the perception is neutral. For example, in 2013 the majority of European countries saw the PRC not as a partner, and not as an ally. In this regard, in the Communication of Eu- ropean Commission ‘The elements of new strategy of the EU regarding China’ for 2016, special attention is given to the topic of unity of the EU in regards of its cooperation with PRC. The document states about the need to formulate a strong, clear, and unified position of European countries in their cooperation with China encountering their cooperation in the ‘16+1’ format or the particular bilateral cooperation. Regardless of the PRC’s criticism, the European Commission ac- knowledges that this country is an important partner of the EU. ‘The elements of new strategy of the EU regarding China’ mentions that the prosperity of Europe depends on the stable development of the PRC that forms the interest of Europe in the economic success and reforms in China. Meanwhile, the tendency which can be traced in the PRC’s image change among the European citizens between 2016 and 2018 is the growing number of Europeans who percept China better than the USA. Moreover, based on the research conducted by the Pew Research Center in 2018 there was the lack of trust in Xi Jinping as a politician who makes the right input in international relations. Situation began to change in 2019 when the Asian country began to be identified as an economic competitor or enemy. Regardless of this, the image of the PRC as the leading economic power becomes more established which is more related with the growing popularity of the Belt and Road initiative.
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