Economic powerhouse China - How dependent is Europe? | DW Documentary

China’s rapid transformation into a global technological superpower presents a complex geopolitical challenge, forcing Europe to navigate a precarious balance between economic partnership and strategic rivalry. While advancements in autonomous transport and electric vehicle manufacturing demonstrate China’s innovative capacity, these gains are shadowed by concerns over espionage, state-backed industrial dominance, and the weaponization of critical supply chains like rare earth minerals. Experts highlight that China’s internal economic struggles—marked by debt, demographic shifts, and environmental degradation—may paradoxically increase the risk of external military aggression. Meanwhile, internal European divisions, exemplified by Hungary’s aggressive pursuit of Chinese investment versus broader EU efforts to secure core networks and protect domestic industries, underscore the difficulty of maintaining a unified stance against a global power that acts as both a vital economic engine and a systemic adversary.