The European Parliament has lifted restrictions on meetings with certain Chinese officials, indicating a possible thaw in EU-China relations after tensions regarding human rights issues. A proposal by President Roberta Metsola led to this change, while restrictions on contacts with Russia and Belarus remain in place.
The European Parliament has recently lifted the constraints on lawmakers regarding meetings with certain Chinese officials, indicating a possible thaw in relations between the EU and China. These restrictions were initially established in April 2023 as a response to the sanctions imposed in 2021 related to human rights issues in China’s Xinjiang region.
Previously, the guidelines restricted invitations for official visits to the European Parliament and prohibited official missions while sanctions remained. The rules also required that any bilateral contacts with officials be limited to office holders, and any meetings at multilateral forums needed prior notification.
The shift in policy emerged following a meeting where European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested revoking these measures. It is noteworthy that restrictions on communications with officials from Russia and Belarus continue to be enforced. A spokesperson from the European Parliament confirmed this change, emphasizing that the previous guidelines were relevant to a specific context.
The recent decision by the European Parliament to relax restrictions on meetings with Chinese officials suggests a potential improvement in EU-China relations. This change comes after a period of heightened tension regarding human rights issues, marking a significant policy shift while noting the continued limitations regarding Russia and Belarus.
Original Source: www.scmp.com
