Just as Europe once exported its own state system of international relations to the rest of the world, so too are Asian countries now reshaping the international system. The conditions for international relations are changing to the advantage of large countries with a strong state, and China plays an important role in this process. If the European Union wants to remain an influential player in the international order, it needs to make clear political-strategic choices. Maaike Okano-Heijmans and Frans-Paul van der Putten are researchers with Asia Studies section of the Clingendael Institute of International Relations in the Hague.