Europe stands to benefit from new Silk Roads

The EU pays close attention to Chinese aid policy because it sometimes conflicts with its own development goals. The EU is also watching to see if and how China exploits the "Belt and Road Initiatives" to increase its influence.

Sri Lanka may now be one of China's closest strategic partners in the region. Since the end of Sri Lanka's civil war there has been significant Chinese investment in the country. Colombo has been keen to cultivate Beijing as an economic partner to drive development. Sri Lanka has now cast itself as China's primary partner in the maritime road initiative and seems ready to allow Chinese naval vessels privileged access to its port facilities.

China has also provided naval support for the EU-led anti-piracy campaign in the Gulf of Aden (Operation Atlanta). This is an important transit route for container traffic between Europe and China and a sign of Beijing's willingness to share international responsibility for freedom of navigation on the high seas. Other potential choke points for Chinese trade are the Malacca Strait and the South China Sea.

Since the maritime road initiative involves many countries with which the EU has a partnership, it is clear that Brussels will follow developments closely to assess the likely positive and negative implications.

There could well be implications for trade relations and possibilities for joint activities. China is already discussing related infrastructure projects with Central and East European countries under the 16+1 format. There could also be problem areas not least in the different approaches of the EU and China to financial assistance to third countries.

But the message from the EU side is clear - a desire to work together with China wherever and whenever possible for mutual advantage.

The author is director of the EU-Asia Centre and senior advisor to European Policy Centre.