#NO to overdependence on #China #YES to tougher trade enforcement YES to more sanctions on H. Rights

China is a global power with huge responsibility. But China’s leaders, including Xi Jinping, have too often contributed more to global problems than to global solutions by supporting Russia’s brutal war against Ukraine, by threatening Taiwan, by wrongfully jailing Europeans like Gui Minhai, by exporting the regime’s values of state control and oppression, forced assimilation in Tibet and Xinjiang, forced labour, crimes against humanity, and serious risk of genocide, as this Parliament first recognised in June 2022 at my initiative.

In Hong Kong, ‘one country, two systems’ has become a fading dream. Jimmy Lai turned 76 last week, in prison, for printing the truth. And he could soon receive a life sentence.

The EU has global power too. We must use all the carrots and sticks we have, we must say loud and clear, as this report states: ‘no’ to overdependence on China; ‘yes’ to tougher trade enforcement; ‘yes’ to more sanctions on human rights abusers. Free Ilham Tohti, free Gui Minhai, free Jimmy Lai, free all those wrongfully imprisoned.

In a new report, MEPs want the EU to engage pragmatically with China on global challenges while continuing to confront Beijing over its severe human rights abuses.

Parliament recognises China’s simultaneous role as a partner but also increasingly a competitor and systemic rival to the EU. The Beijing government is strengthening its role and influence over international institutions, MEPs say, with both the intention and economic, technological and military means to reshape the international rules-based order. They say both the EU and China have an interest in pursuing active and stable relations, which should be based on international law, balanced engagement and shared global responsibilities. Yet they also highlight that China is moving into a new era of security and control characterised by increasing internal repression and an increasingly assertive economic and foreign policy.

Pragmatic engagement on global challenges, more balanced trade needed

Stressing the need for the EU to continue to engage pragmatically with China to tackle global challenges, such as climate change, financial stability risks as well as conflicts and security issues, Parliament urges the EU to engage more with China to get Beijing to stop its support for Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine and helping Moscow’s circumvention of EU sanctions. Noting that the ruling Chinese Communist party does not share the same values as European democracies, they also want the European Union to respond more adequately to China’s increasing efforts to change the multilateral rules-based order through tools like the BRICS group and the Belt and Road Initiative. This can be achieved through better coordination among EU member states, more engagement with international partners and through the promotion of the EU’s own Global Gateway strategy

On economic ties, MEPs stress the need to advance the stated goal of de-risking trade flows with China to reinforce the EU’s open strategic autonomy, without turning inwards. They highlight the importance of reciprocal and balanced trade relations, to address the structural shortcoming of the Chinese market and improve fair conditions and market access for European companies.

The EU must confront China over its human rights abuses

Deploring China’s deeply worrisome human rights record, the report also urges the EU to call on the Chinese authorities to stop their crackdown on dissent and on religious and ethnic minorities, and halt their ongoing grave violations. MEPs refer to the alarming situation in Xinjiang and Tibet, but also recent and more long-term developments in Hong Kong and Macao.

They also want the EU to do more to limit Chinese control over critical infrastructure in the EU, as well as to better combat cyberattacks and disinformation campaigns originating from China, the surveillance of the Chinese diaspora in Europe, and espionage.

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#eudebates the unique initiative aiming to promote debate, dialogue, knowledge, participation and communication among citizens. #China #Xi #Jinping #EU #Russia #Ukraine #war #Putin #trade #Hamas #Taiwan #Tibet #Xinjiang #HongKong #philippines