Pair up

The EU and China must collaborate on global infrastructure to make the most of their respective development initiatives

In an era of increasing global polarization, two ambitious infrastructure initiatives stand at a crossroads: the European Union's Global Gateway and China's Belt and Road Initiative. While often portrayed as competitors in a zero-sum game for global influence, these two behemoths of development have more to gain from cooperation than competition. By joining forces, they could accelerate global development, foster international understanding and create a more interconnected world.

The scale of global infrastructure needs is staggering. According to the Global Infrastructure Hub, a G20 initiative, there is a projected need of $94 trillion in infrastructure investment by 2040, with a $15 trillion shortfall if current investment trends continue. Neither the EU nor China can single-handedly bridge this chasm. The Global Gateway and the BRI are both putting in substantial inputs. Yet, when faced with the enormity of global needs, even these fall short. And this shortfall isn't just about roads and bridges; it represents missed opportunities for economic growth, job creation and improved living standards for billions.

Nor is cooperation just about pooling financial resources. It's about leveraging complementary strengths. The EU excels in setting high standards for environmental protection and social safeguards. For instance, its taxonomy for sustainable activities, launched in 2020, is becoming an influential benchmark for green investments. China, meanwhile, has unparalleled experience in rapid infrastructure deployment. It has built over 45,000 kilometers of high-speed rail lines in less than two decades, more than the rest of the world combined.

Critics may argue that geopolitical tensions make such cooperation impossible. They're not wrong about the challenges. The EU has labeled China a "systemic rival" in some areas and has also expressed concerns about debt sustainability and the transparency of BRI projects.

But history shows that cooperation is possible even in the most difficult circumstances. Scientific collaboration between the US and Soviet Union continued throughout the Cold War, leading to breakthroughs in space exploration and disease eradication. Today's challenges — from climate change to pandemic prevention — demand a similar spirit of collaboration.

The potential impact is enormous. A McKinsey report suggests that bridging the global infrastructure gap could add an average of 0.6 percentage points to global GDP growth annually. Beyond economic benefits, coordinated infrastructure development could accelerate progress on multiple Sustainable Development Goals.

For example, the Port of Piraeus, once a symbol of Greece's economic woes, has been transformed into a Mediterranean shipping powerhouse. The impetus for its revival? Chinese investment through the BRI.Meanwhile, about 1,100 miles away in Zagreb, Croatia, a Chinese consortium is putting the finishing touches on the Peljesac Bridge, cofinanced by the EU.These infrastructure projects embody a crucial truth: when it comes to global infrastructure development, cooperation trumps competition.

Other areas require coordinated, multinational responses.

Take clean energy for example. The International Energy Agency estimates that annual clean energy investment in emerging markets needs to increase sevenfold by 2030 to meet climate goals. An EU-China partnership could accelerate this transition. European companies, such as Siemens Gamesa, which are leaders in offshore wind technology, could collaborate with Chinese companies such as Goldwind, leveraging China's manufacturing scale to drastically reduce costs.

Digital infrastructure is another example. By 2025, the GSMA predicts that 72 percent of the people in sub-Saharan Africa will rely on the mobile internet. A joint EU-China initiative could rapidly expand broadband access. European expertise in data protection combined with Chinese advancements in rapid digital infrastructure deployment could create secure, affordable digital networks.

Of course, challenges to such cooperation exist. Differences in governance models, geopolitical tensions, mistrust and competing strategic interests cannot be ignored. However, the potential benefits far outweigh these obstacles.

To move forward, both sides must approach cooperation with open minds and a willingness to compromise. Practically, this could begin with pilot projects in mutually agreed-upon countries or sectors. Joint working groups could be established to harmonize standards and practices. A shared project evaluation framework could be developed to ensure transparency and measure impact.

The world stands at a critical juncture. By choosing cooperation over competition, a China-EU partnership would not only bridge continents with physical infrastructure but also bridge cultures and political systems in pursuit of our shared global interest. It could serve as a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we work together.

He Yun is an associate professor of Hunan University's School of Public Administration. Shi Zhiqin is a professor at the School of International Relations at Tsinghua University. The authors contributed this article to China Watch, a think tank powered by China Daily.

The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.

Contact the editor at editor@chinawatch.cn.