What's holding back EU exports to China?

Access to the fast-growing Chinese economy is prized by policymakers and business people. Concerns that European firms are missing out on the Chinese boom have caused soul-searching in Europe about "competitiveness" and led to accusations of Chinese protectionism. For the first 15 members to join the European Union this paper estimates the determinants of the share of each country's exports going to China from 2000 to 2010. China's growing share of world spending is found to be the most important factor, however labour cost differentials within Europe, two forms of commercial diplomacy, and Chinese export management policies contributed too.