Both the EU and China have an interest in shaping their neighbourhood. The EU’s main concern is the transformation of so-called ‘ethnic’ and border conflicts, and thus to enhance a European space of peace and security. Its preferred approach relies on an associative model, where different degrees of integration are used to shape interactions and create what one may call a ‘paxEuropeana’. China’s regional policy is much more openly pursuing national interests, yet, at the same time, there are also normative concerns related to regional integration and regional stability. In this paper, we develop a conceptual toolkit with which to distinguish different forms of engaging with the neighbourhood. We then outline the strategies of China and the EU and assess where they differ and where they converge. Finally, we discuss to what extent interference in the sphere of the ‘other side’ (e.g. the EU’s support of ASEAN, China’s strategic involvement in the Eastern Mediterranean) has resulted in fissures or fruitful cross-fertilisation. A comparison between the different threat perceptions and regional approaches with regard to the South and East China Sea disputes stands out as interesting subject of investigation.
