China’s perception of the European Union during Brexit: the case of Chinese scholars

While Brexit has profoundly affected the EU, few have examined its impacts on the EU’s image in China. Based on an analysis of the Chinese academic representation of the EU in 222 academic journal articles published between 23 June 2016 and 31 December 2021, this article finds that Chinese scholars’ perceptions of the EU, while broadly consistent with previous findings, show several notable changes. Regarding the EU polity, Chinese scholars display an increasingly pessimistic view of the prospect of European integration. Regarding the EU’s actorness on the global stage, they see the Union as a weakened but aspirational actor, and an economic giant with a protectionist tendency and in pursuance of political, environmental and maritime status. Finally, regarding the EU’s position toward China, they see the EU’s relationship with China as being subject to fluctuation, American influence, and growing competition.