Europe's crisis a win-win opportunity for China

The sovereign debt crisis of Europe has shaken the Euro, and exposed fissures in the European Union.Chinese demands for the lifting of an arms embargo have been publicly backed by Spain.There is massive public support for the euro. It is a smart political move as of the fact that China’s exchange rate policy is still vulnerable to international criticism, writes Pallavi Aiyar in Business Standard.

Excerpts:

"While Europe’s sovereign debt crisis may have shaken the euro and exposed fissures in the European Union, one country’s hand in the region has been strengthened: China’s. It has converted Europe’s crisis into an opportunity to extend Beijing’s clout in the region."

"But in June, only hours after credit agency Moody’s downgraded Greece’s credit rating to junk, it was China that held out a financial lifeline, in the form of a multibillion euro investment package. While signing the deal, Chinese vice premier Zhang Dejiang gave the eurozone’s weakest link a public vote of confidence, declaring Beijing’s belief in Athens’ ability to overcome its fiscal problems, an announcement that moved markets positively, following weeks of turmoil."

"At the time, Greek deputy prime minister Theodoros Pangalos praised China in an interview, echoing sentiments often expressed by African nations indebted to Beijing. “They are not like these Wall Street people, pushing financial investments on paper. "

"The Chinese deal in real things, in merchandise. And, they will help the real economy in Greece,” he said."

"It’s not only debt-laden southern European countries that find themselves beholden to Beijing. Even power house Germany’s continued economic buoyancy owes much to its exports to China. Jonathan Holslag, research fellow at the Brussels Institute of Contemporary China Studies, notes that Germany’s economic recovery over the past year is due in substantial part to its exports of cars and advanced machinery to China."

"Access to technology is also increasingly being built into deals struck by Chinese corporations. For example, the Greek package included an exchange of know-how between China's Huawei Technologies and OTE, the Greek telecom organisation."

"While the commercial interest behind companies capitalising on the European downturn is clear, reasons for the Chinese government’s “goodwill” gestures are murkier. Holslag believes Beijing is motivated by the desire to ward off creeping protectionism in Europe, thus ensuring its most important export market remains open. In July, when German chancellor Angela Merkel visited Beijing, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao was explicit in making the connection."

"In return, Merkel made a joint statement with Wen, vowing to oppose protectionism in Europe. There are other pluses for Beijing from its increasing influence. Chinese demands for the lifting of an arms embargo have been already publicly backed by Spain. Holslag believes with Beijing’s new leverage with certain EU member-states, backing for this and other issues like the granting of market economy status to China will intensify."

"Economic clout can translate into greater political influence, a lesson the Chinese know well and apply in their diplomacy across the world. Europe’s economic woes have opened room for these techniques to be used within the EU."

"In sum, the region’s economic fragility has allowed the Chinese government to project itself as a benevolent supporter of the euro, even as it acquires strategic leverage and Chinese companies sniff profitable deals. The kind of win-win situation that Beijing is partial to."