The dispute between China and the EU over solar panels illustrates the misunderstandings that have plagued EU-China relations

Earlier this year a dispute began between the EU and China after the European Commission temporarily imposed anti-dumping levies on imported Chinese solar panels. Cherry Yu writes on wider EU-China relations and the factors which influenced the dispute. She argues that despite forming a ‘strategic partnership’ in 2003, relations between both sides have been held back by the EU’s value-led approach to dealing with China. She writes that rather than attempting to influence Chinese domestic policy, the EU should focus more on establishing common interests with the country.