The European Union provides a compelling model for regional integration that can inform the idea of a hypothetical “Chinese Union.” In Europe, repeated conflicts, religious divisions, and the devastation of two world wars created a strong incentive to cooperate for peace and stability. Jean Monnet’s approach, grounded in functionalist theory, emphasized practical cooperation in economic and technical sectors as the foundation for deeper political integration. Applying these insights to China, a regional alliance could adopt a similar step-by-step functional strategy. Initially, cooperation could focus on trade, infrastructure, and technological projects, building trust and mutual benefits among diverse regions. Subsequently, collaborations could expand to education, cultural exchanges, and coordinated governance, gradually fostering a shared sense of identity and interdependence. While China’s historical, political, and cultural contexts differ greatly from Europe, the core principle remains: practical, functional cooperation can reduce conflict, build trust, and lay the groundwork for a more integrated regional system. In this sense, the European experience offers both a theoretical and strategic framework for imagining regional alliances in China.