CIAO DATE: 08/2010
December 2009
From 2006 to 2008, the EastWest Institute (EWI) and the China Institute of International Studies (CIIS) co-organized the first three annual discussions of the Trialogue21 initiative – an off-the-record process involving public and private sector leaders from China, the United States and Europe. The meetings, which were held in Berlin (December 2006), Beijing (November 2007), and Washington, D.C. (December 2008), served as an annual review of relations among the three powers and addressed a wide range of common domestic and foreign policy concerns. This report summarizes the key outcomes of the discussions during the three meetings. Despite the divergent strategic perceptions and priorities of China, the United States, and Europe, one general conclusion was that all three sides have a significant role to play in addressing a broad range of common challenges, including weapons of mass destruction, terrorism, violent extremism, and energy and environmental security. At the same time, while the United States and the European Union expect and want China to play an increasingly important role in tackling global problems, they are also worried about its growing influence. All three sides need to be honest about their expectations and perceptions of one another in order to address this “engagement paradox” and cooperate more effectively.
Resource link: Trilateral Cooperation in the 21st Century: First Summary Report of the Trialogue21 Initiatve [PDF] - 966K