The European Parliament has removed restrictions on lawmakers meeting with Chinese officials, signaling a potential thaw in EU-China relations after previous diplomatic tensions. This change comes after guidelines introduced in April 2023 regarding contacts amid sanctions related to human rights abuses were re-evaluated, although restrictions on Russia and Belarus officials remain.
The European Parliament has officially lifted restrictions on lawmakers meeting with certain Chinese officials, indicating a potential warming of relations between the European Union and China. This decision follows guidelines established in April 2023 that were reactions to previous sanctions related to human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region, marked by reciprocal sanctions imposed in 2021.
Originally, the guidelines prevented invitations to Chinese and Iranian parliamentarians and restricted official missions to these countries, unless they included sanctioned members. Furthermore, the rules mandated limited bilateral contacts with officials while requiring notifications for meetings at multilateral forums.
However, during a recent meeting, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested that the restrictions be reassessed, signaling a possible shift toward more engagement with China. It is important to note that restrictions regarding contacts with Russian and Belarusian officials remain in force. A spokesperson for the Parliament noted that these guidelines were created during a specific and contextual timeframe.
The lifting of restrictions on meetings between European lawmakers and Chinese officials represents a potential thaw in EU-China relations amid ongoing tensions with Washington. This decision reflects a careful reassessment of earlier sanctions following a period of heightened diplomatic strains regarding human rights issues. However, restrictions on interactions with Russia and Belarus still remain intact, highlighting a selective approach to international diplomacy.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
