This paper analyses
the EU-China relations in the post-Paris eras, focusing on their role
conceptions and relations. As key players in global climate governance, the EU
and China embody distinct roles. While existing literature addresses their
individual roles, policy actions, and negotiations, their mutual role
perceptions remain underexplored. Through a deductive analysis of primary
sources based on a four-quadrant analytical framework, findings suggest that
while both actors conceive their shared role as strategic partners in climate
governance, divergences arise over China’s selective role and the EU’s
normative approach and responsibility-sharing. Combined with an inductive
examination of their practical engagement, the research identifies three
distinct types of role relations: aligned, adaptive, and misaligned. These role
relations serve as a conceptual bridge between role conception and performance,
manifested in performances as cooperation, adaptation, or contestation. In this
sense, a path has been formed from role conception to role performance. The
conclusions formulate prospects and recommendations for future interaction. The
study contributes to the theoretical refinement of role theory in international
relations and offers insights into the evolving EU-China dynamic in climate
governance.