Despite Beijing’s long-standing lobbying efforts to try to ease tensions with the European Union, the European Parliament on Wednesday (October 7) voted on a resolution taking a tougher stance towards China.
The Parliament supports taking tougher actions against the Chinese Communist Party, labeling Beijing as the “key driver” behind Russia’s war and urging for the maintenance of “sustained (European) naval presence and joint exercises” in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding areas, while also calling for swift action to address China’s industrial policies, recognizing them as a “survival threat” to the EU.
On Wednesday, members of the Parliament overwhelmingly passed the resolution. A total of 454 members voted in favor, 86 members voted against, and 110 members abstained.
Although as a resolution, the document will not directly impact the EU’s China policy, this move clearly indicates that since the European Parliament changed its official stance in 2023, there has been a gradual formation of a consensus within the EU regarding China.
Furthermore, the resolution was passed on Thursday (8th) just a day before the crucial trade negotiations between the EU and China, urging the EU to take a tougher stance against the Chinese Communist Party.
The resolution states that China’s industrial overcapacity “could hollow out the industrial core of the EU,” and that the Chinese electric car market poses a “significant threat” to the security and economy of Europe.
The resolution states: “If contacts with China are proven ineffective or insufficient, the EU reserves the right to take unilateral measures according to its economic security strategy.”
Additionally, the resolution accuses Beijing of being the “decisive driver for Russia’s illegal and baseless aggression war against Ukraine, being the largest supplier of dual-use goods (to Russia), and aiding Russia in evading sanctions.”
China has argued that it remains neutral in the war and continues normal trade with Russia. However, in the four years since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, Beijing has never criticized Russia or voiced support for Ukraine.
With no end in sight for Russia’s war in Ukraine, the EU is becoming increasingly concerned about the close relationship between Russia and China.
Regarding the Taiwan issue, the European Parliament urges the EU to “enhance security coordination with member states and other democratic partners in the region, including maintaining sustained naval presence and conducting joint exercises to enhance regional stability.”
Furthermore, a series of recent spy scandals related to China has shocked the European Parliament.
The main author of the report, Belgian centrist MEP Hilde Vautmans, said during the debate on Tuesday night: “We have witnessed Beijing testing the limits of international law. Tomorrow, the European Parliament can send a clear message: stop dumping, stop spying, and practice fair competition.”
Members of the Parliament believe that the EU is reaching a consensus on its stance towards China.
Following the end of the debate, Vautmans stated: “This is no longer just the position of the European Parliament or a political group. People are becoming increasingly aware that Europe needs a more coherent approach to China: being open to dialogue and cooperation, but also more willing to defend its interests when necessary.”
For Beijing, the passage of this resolution is disappointing. Over the years, the Chinese Communist Party has invested heavily in lobbying the European Parliament.
According to the South China Morning Post, sources say that Chinese diplomats have been lobbying to amend the text of this Parliament position document.
The previous drafts had deleted the term “systemic competitor,” which has been the EU’s official term for China since 2019. Sources claim that Vautmans removed the term to appease opposition from the Parliament’s Socialists and Democrats group. However, the term was reinstated in the final text that passed.
Also, amendments that were passed with the resolution restored the term “comprehensive strategic partnership,” which has been used in the past to describe the relationship between the EU and Beijing. It is reported that the reinstatement of this term is related to two amendments proposed by the Socialists group.
Overall, the majority of centrist and right-wing groups in the European Parliament hold a skeptical view towards Beijing.
Engin Eroglu, the head of the China delegation in the European Parliament and a member familiar with Beijing, said in his remarks: “China (the CCP) is a competitor within the system… Beijing only understands one language: not diplomacy, but strength.”