Tensions in China-Sweden Relations: Conclusions for the EU
Tensions in China-Sweden Relations: Conclusions for the EU

Author(s): Marcin Przychodniak
Subject(s): Governance, Economic policy, International relations/trade, Peace and Conflict Studies
Published by: PISM Polski Instytut Spraw Międzynarodowych
Keywords: People’s Republic of China; Sweden; bilateral contacts; limit on economic cooperation; 5G network; Huawei;
Summary/Abstract: At the end of 2019, relations between China and Sweden deteriorated. The dynamics of bilateral contacts decreased and China threatened Sweden with limits on economic cooperation. The immediate reason was that the Swedish PEN Club gave a freedom-of-speech award to a Swedish citizen who is detained in China. The Chinese pressure on Sweden is similar that applied to other EU countries, such as the Czech Republic or Denmark. This pressure is calculated to force the countries to abandon criticism of human-rights violations in China and forego restrictions on 5G cooperation with Huawei, thus strengthening China’s negotiating position ahead of two meetings in the EU format this year. This requires not only reactions from the Member States but also from EU institutions.

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