General

On the afternoon of May 20th, local time, the European Parliament voted to pass a motion entitled "China's sanctions on EU entities and members of the European Parliament and members of parliament." Anti-sanctions. The motion does not have legal effect, but because the EU-China investment agreement must be approved by the European Parliament, the movement on May 20 is considered to be the European Parliament "frozen" the China-EU investment agreement reached after seven years of negotiations.

According to the news on the website of the Chinese Mission to the European Union on May 21, the spokesperson of the Chinese Mission to the European Union answered reporters’ questions on the European Parliament’s adoption of China-related resolutions.

Q: On May 20, the European Parliament passed a resolution stating that before China lifts its anti-sanctions against members of the European Parliament, it will "freeze" discussions on the ratification of the China-EU Investment Agreement. What is China's comment?

Answer: The China-EU Investment Agreement is a balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win agreement, not a gift from anyone. China's countermeasures are a legitimate response to the EU's unilateral sanctions and confrontation. China has always been sincere to promote cooperation between the two sides and hopes that the EU will meet us halfway.

A number of media outlets including Reuters pointed out on the 20th that the freezing of the China-EU investment agreement is damaging the interests of both China and the EU. Cui Hongjian, director of the European Institute of the China Institute of International Studies, told reporters on May 20 that the European Parliament's crude freeze of the China-EU investment agreement will not have much impact on the current China-EU trade situation. However, some political forces in the United States and Europe will take the opportunity to develop the so-called "US-Europe Anti-China Front."

European Parliament beats back

The European Parliament website issued a press release on the 20th, stating that the resolution was passed with 599 votes in favor, 30 votes against and 58 abstentions. The press release completely knocked it down, stating that members of the European Parliament condemned the "baseless and arbitrary sanctions" imposed by the Chinese authorities on European individuals and entities, "justified freezing" the negotiations on the ratification of the China-EU investment agreement, and welcomed the EU's sanctions on Chinese individuals and entities. And called for a rebalancing of Sino-European relations.

This time China and the EU have a clear view of who will come first and who will follow in the confrontation over sanctions. In March of this year, the EU ignored China’s multiple explanations and clarifications and followed the United States in imposing sanctions on four Chinese officials and one entity on the grounds of human rights issues in Xinjiang. On March 22, China announced sanctions on 10 people and 4 entities that seriously harmed China’s sovereignty and interests and maliciously spread lies and false information, including 5 members of the European Parliament and 3 members of the European Parliament. Among the 705 members of the European Parliament, they are only a handful, but they have "contributed" the most anti-China voices.

Reuters said on the 20th that before the vote began, the European Parliament also argued that China’s sanctions on European individuals and entities were “not based on international law” and that the EU’s measures were aimed at “human rights violations” stipulated in the UN Convention. "But Beijing denies any wrongdoing."

Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post commented on the 20th that the motion is part of a package of wider criticisms of China on issues including Hong Kong and Xinjiang by the European Parliament. The motion stated that members of the European Parliament asked China to lift sanctions before considering the China-EU Investment Agreement, but this "does not affect the final outcome of the agreement approval process." The European Parliament reminds the European Commission that when deciding whether to approve the China-EU investment agreement, members of the European Parliament "will consider the human rights situation in China (including Hong Kong)". Agence France-Presse said on the 20th that the motion also calls for suspension of the extradition treaty between member states and China. At present, 10 EU countries including France, Belgium and Spain have signed extradition agreements with China. The motion also stated that members of the European Parliament called for a rebalancing of Sino-European relations and supported a toolbox for a series of autonomous measures.

German Economy Minister: We hope to reach a result with China that is in the interests of both parties

On the sanctions list announced by China in March, the European Parliament member Petty Koffel ranked first. On the 20th, he triumphantly said, "China really wants to reach a China-EU investment agreement, but they miscalculated and underestimated the determination of the European Parliament to defend European interests and values." It is understood that at present, neither the EU nor the governments of the 27 EU member states have expressed support for the "freezing" agreement. Agence France-Presse quoted German Federal Minister of Economic Affairs Altmeier as saying, “China is the largest trading partner of the European Union and the largest trading partner of the United States, and it plays an important role in the global economy. We hope that the agreement with China is in the interests of both parties. the result of". Reuters said on the 20th that this deadlock is a setback for China and the EU. Approving the agreement will provide greater protection for European investment and intellectual property rights in China.

Cui Hongjian told reporters on the 20th that after the draft was passed, the immediate impact was that the approval process of the China-EU investment agreement was stuck in the European Parliament in the short term, which meant that the agreement would face an indefinite postponement. Unless there are major changes in Sino-EU relations in the near future, or the EU member states, including the Council, exert influence on the parliament in some ways, it will be difficult for the China-EU Investment Agreement to be further promoted.

Cui Hongjian said that for Europe, the "freezing" of the China-EU Investment Agreement has a great impact on its economic recovery and foreign economic cooperation. Europe will also face obstacles in opening up the Chinese market in the investment field. The pressure on China is mainly political and diplomatic. After the motion is passed, the United States may come out to "claim", indicating that the United States and Europe are on the same front in the field of values and ideology. In addition, conservative forces within Europe will take the opportunity to interpret this as "public opinion," which will further negatively affect China's image in Europe. However, in the economic and trade field, unless other actions are taken by the European side, such as raising the threshold of Chinese investment or imposing restrictions, it will not have much impact on China's economy and trade.

In recent days, the German media has hyped a rule in the China-EU Investment Agreement. According to the German "Business Daily", this clause stipulates that the Chinese reserve the right to issue regulations that non-profit organizations will have to be led by Chinese citizens. In this regard, some German industry associations expressed opposition. The German Federation of Machinery and Equipment Engineering also wrote to the European Union to protest "letting the Chinese lead us."

In this regard, the European Commission released information on the 20th to refute rumors that “this is incorrect” and that NGOs and business associations are still not affected by the China-EU Investment Agreement. The EU representative to Germany Jorge Wohan said: “The requirements for foreign NGOs in China are clearly outside the scope of the agreement.” He said that this article is a unilateral offer from China and has no binding force on the EU.

German "Economic Weekly" pointed out that many European companies worry that if the agreement is delayed indefinitely, EU companies will lose more access to the Chinese market in the fields of telecommunications, financial services, private medical care, environmental services, research and development, and air transportation. . Companies in the United States and other regions will have more advantages in the Chinese market.

"Sanctions and confrontation will not help solve the problem"

On the day before the European Parliament freezes the agreement, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian stated at a regular press conference that the China-EU Investment Agreement is a balanced, mutually beneficial and win-win agreement. It is not a "gift" given by one party to the other, but is mutually beneficial. . Approval as soon as possible is in the interests of both China and the EU, and both parties should make active efforts to this end. He emphasized that China's sanctions on relevant EU institutions and personnel that have maliciously spread Xinjiang-related lies and false information for a long time and seriously harm China's sovereignty and interests are the need to safeguard its own interests, and it is also necessary for the EU to engage in sanctions and confrontation. Respond with justice and justice. It is clear who is unreasonably provoking first and who is legitimately defending, who is right and wrong.

Zhao Lijian said that China has the sincerity to develop China-EU relations and will firmly safeguard its own sovereignty, security, and development interests. Sanctions and confrontation will not help solve the problem. Dialogue and cooperation are the right way. It is hoped that the European side can reflect deeply from this, immediately stop interfering in China's internal affairs, enhance mutual understanding and understanding through dialogue and communication, properly manage differences, and promote the healthy and stable development of China-EU relations.

According to Reuters, on May 20, the Lithuanian Parliament passed a resolution slandering China's Xinjiang-related policies as "genocide." The country’s prime minister and foreign minister did not vote. The spokesperson of the Chinese Embassy in Lithuania issued a statement that day, saying that some members of the Lithuanian Parliament ignored China’s solemn position, ignored China’s achievements in human rights development in Xinjiang and other places and effective measures to maintain Hong Kong’s prosperity and stability. Clumsy political performance based on lies and false information. This move used Xinjiang, Hong Kong, Tibet and other issues to grossly interfere in China's internal affairs, slander China's policy of cracking down on cults and other illegal religious activities in accordance with the law, and seriously violated the basic norms of international relations. China expresses its indignation and strongly condemns it. The anti-China forces in the West concocted the so-called human rights issue, and made a crime of demonizing China, attempting to undermine China's peace and stability and contain China's development. They are doomed to a shameful failure.