China is easing sanctions on European Parliament members as part of a diplomatic effort to sell itself as an attractive trade partner amid uncertainty over US policies.
The European Union and China have been locked in a tit-for-tat game of sanctions since 2021, with ‘Beijing targeting members of the European Parliament over their criticism of human rights abuses in Xinjiang.’ However, experts believe that ‘China is now on a mission to sell itself as an attractive trade partner for the world amid uncertainty over US policies.’
The European Union (EU) and China have a long-standing relationship, with diplomatic ties established in 1975.
The EU is China's largest trading partner, accounting for over 18% of China's total trade.
In 2020, the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment was signed, aiming to increase cooperation in areas like technology and infrastructure development.
However, the partnership has faced challenges, including human rights concerns, trade disputes, and security tensions.
The EU has also expressed concerns about China's Belt and Road Initiative, citing debt risks and environmental impact.
A Shift in China’s Political Tone
Lifting sanctions on EU lawmakers would mark a significant change in China’s political tone and could fuel expectations of an EU-China detente ahead of a summit planned for July in ‘Beijing.’ According to ‘Noah Barkin, a consultant and visiting researcher with the German Marshall Fund,’ ‘The move would fuel expectations of an EU-China detente ahead of a summit planned for July in Beijing.’
A Diplomatic Overture
Lifting sanctions may be more of a diplomatic overture than a genuine attempt to revive the frozen investment deal. Varg Folkman, an analyst with the European Policy Centre, believes that ‘the Chinese in lifting sanctions is likely to pave the way for trade discussions with the EU.’ He notes that ‘China’s main goal is to pave the way for trade discussions with the EU.’
Limited Impact on China’s Hopes
Even if the deal is revived, it is unlikely to have a significant impact on China’s hopes for better trade ties. Weinian Hu, an analyst with the Center for China and Globalization think tank, believes that lifting sanctions would have ‘limited’ impact on China’s goals.
The European Union’s Stance Remains Firm
Despite China’s efforts to ease tensions, the European Union remains firm in its stance on human rights abuses in Xinjiang. A spokesperson for the European Commission told DW that the restrictions imposed by the EU are ‘consistent’ with its ‘long-standing concerns about the human rights situation in Xinjiang.’
What Happens Next?
The outcome of China’s charm offensive is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the European Union will not compromise on its values. The blacklisted lawmakers are banned from entering Chinese territory and doing business with Beijing, and similar EU restrictions apply to those Brussels holds responsible for what it calls ‘large-scale arbitrary detentions of, in particular, Uyghurs in Xinjiang.’
