EP urges pragmatic engagement with China while pressing rights and market access
Context
The European Parliament on 13 December 2023 adopted a recommendation addressing EU-China relations, urging pragmatic engagement on global challenges while confronting Beijing over severe human rights abuses. The report explicitly refers to concerns about crackdowns on dissent and on religious and ethnic minorities, citing developments in Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong and Macao.
Key Topic
MEPs emphasise advancing the stated goal of de-risking trade flows with China to reinforce the EU's open strategic autonomy without turning inwards. They call for reciprocal and balanced trade relations to address structural shortcomings of the Chinese market and to improve fair conditions and market access for European companies.
What to Watch
The recommendations were adopted by 529 votes in favour, 47 against and 40 abstentions and were issued to the Council and the Vice-President of the Commission / High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
Sources
Official Documents
- General documents - EU-China relations (13 December 2023) - Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China EP adopts a policy resolution urging pragmatic EU-China engagement, de-risking trade flows, ensuring reciprocal market access for EU firms, and addressing fair-trade conditions while condemning human rights abuses.
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