European Parliament Signals Thaw in EU-China Relations by Lifting Meeting Restrictions

The European Parliament has lifted restrictions on meetings with certain Chinese officials, signaling improved EU-China ties. Introduced after sanctions over human rights abuses in Xinjiang, these guidelines included prohibitions on official visits and limited engagement. The shift was prompted by European Parliament President Roberta Metsola’s proposal to withdraw measures, although restrictions on Russia and Belarus remain.

The European Parliament has recently lifted restrictions on lawmakers’ meetings with certain Chinese officials, indicating a potential improvement in EU-China relations. These restrictions were initially imposed in April 2023 following a series of sanctions due to allegations of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region.

The original guidelines stated that no official visits by parliamentarians to the European Parliament would occur and that no official missions would be allowed, unless at least one member had been sanctioned. Additionally, it was mandated that any interactions with officials should be limited and communicated to parliament’s services prior.

The shift in policy emerged after European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested withdrawing these restrictions during a meeting with senior lawmakers. Notably, similar restrictions on engagements with officials from Russia and Belarus remain in effect. A spokesperson for the European Parliament acknowledged that these changes were based on the original guidelines, which were created in a specific context.

In summary, the European Parliament’s decision to remove restrictions on meetings with some Chinese officials may signify a thaw in EU-China relations, contrasting the continued limitations on interactions with Russia and Belarus. This change follows previous sanctions related to human rights concerns and suggests a reevaluation of diplomatic strategies with key global players.

Original Source: www.scmp.com