China, Europe, and Normative Preferences on Sovereignty and Human Rights

Abstract

This chapter explores persistent deep conceptual differences between China and the European Union (EU). It is argued that in regard to sovereignty and human rights, China and Europe usually stand at the two opposing ends of a normative spectrum as the Europeans give priority to human rights while the Chinese give preference to sovereignty. This has resulted in contending views on the management of international security crises, military intervention in third countries, the diffusion of norms, and the purpose and outcome of the EU-China dialogue on human rights. However, despite opposing normative standpoints, China and Europe are not bound to perpetual conflict over sovereignty and human rights issues as both are capable of pragmatism as well as dogmatism depending on the issue at stake.