Brussels should brush up on China, says former senior official

European Union institutions should aspire to build up a talent reservoir during the coming five years comprised of at least 500 civil servants capable of speaking fluent Chinese who are experts in specific China-related areas, says Pierre Defraigne, executive director of the Brussels-based Madariaga – College of Europe Center. [Photo by Fu Jing/chinadaily.com.cn]

European Union institutions should aspire to build up a talent reservoir during the coming five years comprised of at least 500 civil servants capable of speaking fluent Chinese who are experts in specific China-related areas, says a former senior Brussels official.

"Only in this way will Brussels know more about Beijing and balance its understanding deficit," said Pierre Defraigne, executive director of the Brussels-based Madariaga – College of Europe Centre.

Defraigne told China Daily that Brussels has lacked "quality debates" about China for decades. He said the most important reason for this the lack of civil servants within European institutions who have a deep and intensive knowledge about China's reforms, development and history.

Defraigne was a civil servant from 1970 to 2005, when he retired as deputy director-general of the Directorate-General for Trade (DG Trade). He had been Head of Cabinet between 1999 and 2002 for Pascal Lamy, who was European Commissioner for Trade. And Defraigne was deeply involved in China's WTO accession and has been closely watching China's development for many years.

He noted that EU institutions today employ more than 55,000 civil servants, largely in Brussels, Luxembourg and Strasbourg.

"But I should say, no more than 20 of them can speak fluent Chinese and have a good command of special knowledge about this rising power," he said.

Defraigne believes there is still a huge knowledge gap between the two sides, despite decades of active trade and economic exchanges.

"We lack mutual understanding, but it's more on the EU side than on the Chinese side," he said.

Because of the crucial importance of China-EU ties, he wants Brussels to "hire or train" a team of 500 China experts in the coming five years.

These China-ready officials should be able to speak fluent Chinese, read Chinese newspapers and discuss issues with their Chinese counterparts without an interpreter.

"I think it would change a lot in Brussels if we do this," Defraigne said.

He also would like to see EU member states develop more Chinese-speaking officials.

"Brussels should be the main source of expertise on China," he said. "I deeply believe that it should become a key concern of the EU."

Chi Fulin, president of the China Institute of Reform and Development, shares Defraigne's opinion and welcomes his proposals.

In the past year and a half, Chi has traveled to Brussels six times to participate in dialogues with think-tanks and EU institutions.

"We felt it was workable, discussing general topics about China, but it was really hard to deeply explore issues with our European counterparts, and especially with officials," said Chi.

"Defraigne's proposal is visionary and Brussels should give it immediate consideration."

Chi said both China and the EU should consider developing additional projects to expand exchanges within academia and think-tanks.

"Both sides need to make this a priority, to bridge the understanding gap between the two powers," said Chi.

Yao Yueyang contributed to the story