ABSTRACT
The notion of a Sino-Soviet-American 'triangle' has slight meaning for policy makers in Western Europe. For Western Europeans, policies towards China have to be judged of their effects on the relationship with the Soviet Union. China is generally considered to aid Europe's defence by drawing a substantial amount of the Soviet Union's military attention and effort away from its Western to its Eastern flank. All France could achieve was a loosening of alliance ties and a contribution to the easing of East-West relations. It elevated this in its rhetoric to a dispensation from the full responsibilities of alliance membership and some special understanding with the Eastern bloc. Moreover, China may be coming to the end of the heroic phase in its foreign policy and strategy, and is coming to recognize that some of its more grandiose plans and strategic games are inadequate and inappropriate for current circumstances. The most useful role for Europe is to encourage this trend towards realism.
