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06 April 2009
GPPi Research Associates present paper on EU-China Inter-bureaucratic networks
GPPi Research Associates Bjoern Conrad and Stephan Mergenthaler presented a paper on EU-China Inter-bureaucratic networks at the international conference “Prospects and Challenges for EU-China Relations in the 21th century: The Partnership and Cooperation Agreement” on 3-4 April. The conference was hosted by the Chair of EU-China Relations of the College of Europe in Bruges, Belgium. Other participants included among others Prof. Pan Zhongqi, First Secretary of the Chinese Mission to the EU, Brussels; Prof Andrew Cottey, University College Cork; Prof. Francis Snyder, London School of Economics; and Mr. Zhang Xiaotong, Chinese Ministry of Commerce.
Conrad and Mergenthaler focused on the growing number and intensity of working level connections between EU and Chinese bureaucratic actors. These connections have developed into extensive EU-China inter-bureaucratic networks in many policy areas, significantly shaping the character of EU-China relations. In order to systematically approach the phenomenon, Conrad and Mergenthaler first proposed an analytical framework for studying the patterns of inter-bureaucratic networks. Subsequently, they illustrated the application of the analytical framework by presenting two concrete examples of inter-bureaucratic networks in crucial policy areas of the EU-China relationship: non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and climate change mitigation.
Conrad and Mergenthaler concluded that (a) inter-bureaucratic networks play a significant and growing role in shaping EU-China relations, (b) these networks remain functional even in times of short-term political level tensions and crises between the EU and China, (c) their mid-term effectiveness crucially depends on their bureaucratic setup, internal processes and the actors involved, (d) their ultimate and long-term success is however dependent on a certain degree of political consensus which can only be achieved through political dialogue. As such, the understanding of each others internal bureaucratic structures need to be expanded and the linkage between political dialogue and bureaucratic collaboration need to be strengthened in order to utilize the full problem-solving potential of inter-bureaucratic networks.
To view the conference agenda please click here.
For more information please contact Björn Conrad or Stephan Mergenthaler