An in-depth analysis was conducted on the importance of "mixed threats" in international politics, exploring their origins, development, and the EU's understanding and response strategies to such threats. It was specifically pointed out that after the 2014 Ukraine crisis, the EU's attention to mixed threats has significantly increased and a dedicated response mechanism has been established. At the same time, the article also discusses the comprehensive research on the concept of mixed threats in the European academic community, as well as the insufficient attention paid by the domestic academic community to related issues. By interpreting official EU policy documents, the evolution of the EU's perception of mixed threats has been systematically reviewed, and the characteristics and potential impacts of its countermeasures have been analyzed, in order to deepen our understanding of the characteristics and development trends of great power competition.

1、 The EU academic community's understanding and characteristics of the concept of "mixed threats"

Explored in depth the understanding and characteristics of the concept of "mixed threats" in the academic community of the European Union. Firstly, it should be pointed out that there is currently no unified definition of "mixed threat", and the distinction between "mixed threat" and "mixed war" in European and American literature is vague, with multiple different terms describing similar phenomena. Furthermore, the origin of the concept of "mixed threats" was traced back, from Sun Tzu's Art of War to the use of mixed tactics between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, to the first proposal of the concept of "mixed warfare" in the 2005 US National Defense Strategy document, as well as the contribution of General Grasimov of Russia to the theory of mixed warfare. After the 2014 Ukraine crisis, the theory of mixed warfare was further developed, forming Western mixed warfare theory and Russian style mixed warfare theory.

2、 Strengthening the awareness of addressing "mixed threats" in the EU security strategy

Deeply analyzed the strengthening of awareness of "mixed threats" in the EU security strategy. Firstly, quoting the viewpoint of British scholar Rothschild, it points out the expanding trend of the concept of security, including from national security to personal security, from military security to multi domain security, and the diversification of security providers. Furthermore, the publication of the 2003 European Security Strategy was reviewed, which for the first time systematically analyzed the security threats faced by the European Union, including terrorism, the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and added cybersecurity, energy security, and climate change in the 2008 implementation report. In the context of the Ukrainian crisis and terrorist attacks, the 2016 Global Strategy identified mixed threats as one of the main security threats to the European Union and emphasized the vision of establishing European "strategic autonomy". The 2020 EU Security Union Strategy further emphasizes the interconnectedness of security threats and proposes comprehensive priorities, including combating terrorism, preventing mixed threats, and enhancing infrastructure resilience. In addition, the "Strategic Compass" process launched in 2020 aims to conduct a midterm review of the Global Strategy, provide comprehensive threat analysis, and officially introduce a plan in 2022, emphasizing the return of traditional military threats and the importance of hybrid threats. Overall, the EU's threat perception is characterized by diversity and complexity, with increasing emphasis on mixed threats. At the same time, the EU's sense of autonomy continues to strengthen, actively creating mechanisms to respond to various threats.

3、 Mechanism construction for the EU to address mixed threats

Elaborated in detail on the EU's mechanism construction in dealing with mixed threats. In May 2015, the European Council passed a resolution proposing the establishment of a joint framework to address mixed threats. In 2016, the European Union released the "Joint Framework for Responding to Mixed Threats - EU Response", providing initial consensus and blueprint for addressing mixed threats. In 2018, the European Parliament, the European Council, and the European Commission emphasized in a joint communication the need to enhance resilience and responsiveness. The mechanism construction of the European Union mainly includes four elements: situational awareness, resilience, response, and cooperation.

4、 Comprehensive integration of the 'hybrid toolbox' and EU policy tools

Since the release of the Joint Framework in 2016, the EU has established a hybrid threat response mechanism and emphasized the importance of strengthening situational awareness, building resilience, crisis prevention and response capabilities, and cooperating with NATO in its 2021 implementation report. After the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022, the EU further strengthened policy coordination through the "strategic compass" plan, proposing four work directions of "action", "protection", "investment" and "partnership". Among them, "protection" requires improving intelligence capabilities, creating an "EU hybrid toolbox", and developing cyber defense policies. This toolbox aims to coordinate responses to mixed operations, including prevention, cooperation, stabilization, restriction, and recovery measures, support solidarity and mutual assistance actions, and gather existing and new tools, such as establishing a "mixed rapid response team".

5、 Possible impact of EU's practice in addressing mixed threats

In depth analysis of the EU's practices in addressing mixed threats and their potential impacts. Firstly, it points out that the EU faces primitive power politics and narrative wars in the international order, emphasizing the threat of mixed threats to democratic values. Secondly, the dual path of the EU's identity positioning was discussed, including its role as a normative force and a geopolitical actor, as well as the paradox that exists between the two. Furthermore, the reconstruction of the European security landscape, particularly the cooperation between the EU and NATO in the field of security and defense, as well as the impact of the shift in US strategic focus on Europe, were discussed. In addition, the potential problems that may arise from the generalization of the concept of mixed threats, such as the unlimited expansion of security interests and the complexity of external relations, were pointed out. Finally, the impact of the EU's response to mixed threats on China was analyzed, including the potential risk of "weaponization" and the Western centric color. At the same time, inspirations for China's security concept, resource coordination, response mechanism, and international cooperation were proposed.