EU-China relations must be based on rules, reciprocity and respect for human rights

The Renew Europe Group in the European Parliament calls on the EU to work on a renewed, assertive and coherent approach towards China by opposing Beijing’s human rights violations and engaging China to tackle global challenges. In a report, today approved by the plenary, our political group also stressed China's responsibility not to circumvent sanctions against Russia, to pressure Moscow to stop its war against Ukraine and to support the rules-based international order.

MEP Hilde Vautmans (Open Vld, Belgium), EP standing rapporteur on China and Renew Europe Group’s coordinator in the Foreign Affairs Committee, said:

“We can no longer be naive when dealing with China. China is an important trading partner, but increasingly a systemic rival and competitor. With this recommendation, we make clear that the EU must react to an assertive China by implementing a new and bold strategy. We must continue to cooperate with China where possible, based on reciprocal rules. Europe must never turn a blind eye to China's human rights violations. And to uphold our values and interests, we urgently need to strengthen our strategic autonomy and de-risk our relations. Most crucially, we must speak with one single European voice to defend our European interests and values.”