The European Parliament has removed restrictions on meetings between lawmakers and certain Chinese officials, indicating a potential thaw in EU-China relations. These restrictions were originally implemented in response to human rights concerns in Xinjiang, following sanctions in 2021. The change was influenced by comments from Parliament President Roberta Metsola, while bans on interactions with Russia and Belarus remain.
The European Parliament has officially lifted restrictions on meetings between lawmakers and certain Chinese officials, potentially indicating a thaw in relations between the European Union and China. This decision follows initial recommendations implemented in April 2023, which arose from tensions stemming from accusations of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region, leading to reciprocal sanctions between the two parties in 2021.
Initially, the guidelines prohibited invitations to official Chinese counterparts and barred any official missions to China and Iran while sanctions were in effect, stating that exceptions could only be made if at least one sanctioned member participated. Moreover, the recommendations restricted bilateral discussions to designated office holders and required notification to parliament’s services regarding any meetings at multilateral forums.
The shift in the European Parliament’s stance emerged during a recent meeting with senior lawmakers, where President Roberta Metsola advocated for the withdrawal of these measures. It is noteworthy that similar restrictions imposed on interactions with Russian and Belarusian officials remain effective. A spokesperson from the European Parliament acknowledged this change, citing the original guidelines as being relevant to the specific circumstances at that time.
In summary, the European Parliament’s recent decision to lift restrictions on meetings with certain Chinese officials signals a potential improvement in EU-China relations, which may be influenced by changing geopolitical dynamics. This new direction contrasts with the continued restrictions on Russian and Belarusian officials, highlighting the complexity of international diplomacy and the shifting alliances within it.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
