The Promotion of European Studies in China. A Case of European Soft Diplomacy?

The European Union and China trade more than 1 billion euros daily. In order to consolidate relations with China, the European Union has been providing research funding to Chinese research institutions and universities through various channels, notably through the Jean Monnet programs and through the EU-China Innovation cooperation. But does the EU with its efforts of promoting European studies in China gain a political advantage over China? To which extent are European efforts of promoting soft power in China effective? This paper relies on interviews with Chinese academics in the field of European studies and on stocktaking of European studies programs in the country to assess this question. The findings will have relevance for scholars of European studies and will contribute to the growing literature on soft diplomacy.