The PRC has stated it will continue to back Russia against Ukraine [0] which is a red line for the EU. Additionally, the PRC has been running disinfo ops against EU member states tech exports [1] while still attempting industrial espionage on European institutions [2].

China will not become a trusted partner of the EU as long as:

1. It continues to conduct industrial espionage against EU institutions

2. Attempts to undermine EU industrial and dual use exports

3. It continues to support Russia diplomatically and materially at the expense of Ukraine

4. It attempts to undermine the EU as an institution [3][4][5][6]

5. It continues to threaten EU nationals through physical [7] and legal [8] intimidation.

It's the same reason trust has reduced in the US as well.

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[0] - https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3316875/ch...

[1] - https://www.defense.gouv.fr/desinformation/nos-analyses-froi...

[2] - https://www.intelligenceonline.fr/asie-pacifique/2026/01/14/...

[3] - https://fddi.fudan.edu.cn/_t2515/57/f8/c21257a743416/page.ht...

[4] - https://www.ft.com/content/1ed0b791-a447-48f4-9c38-abbf5f283...

[5] - https://www.ft.com/content/81700fc4-8f23-4bec-87e9-59a83f215...

[6] - https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/innenpolitik/ex-mitarbeiter...

[7] - https://www.lemonde.fr/societe/article/2024/07/02/deux-espio...

[8] - https://www.intelligenceonline.fr/asie-pacifique/2025/12/23/...