Recommendation on EU-China political relations
The European Parliament adopted by 454 votes to 86, with 110 abstentions, a recommendation to the Council, the Commission and the Vice-President of the Commission/High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy on EU-China political relations.
Parliament urged Member States and Union institutions to avoid political fragmentation and to adopt a unified and coordinated strategy to engage in firm diplomatic dialogue with China, protect the Union's geopolitical and economic interests, promote human rights and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation.
EU/China Dialogue
Parliament affirmed that dialogue between the EU and China is essential for addressing a wide range of bilateral and global challenges, including climate change, strengthening multilateralism, peace and security, and promoting human rights, international development, digitalisation, and global public health. It recommended urging China, as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, to fulfil its obligations and responsibilities, uphold a rules-based international order, and respect multilateralism and the central role of the UN in global affairs.
Members noted that relations have now reached a critical point, primarily due to China's unfair economic practices, such as dumping and spying, and its stance on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. More responsible dialogue should be encouraged to strengthen mutual understanding and foster genuinely balanced and mutually beneficial cooperation.
Russian War of Aggression
Parliament urged China to immediately cease all forms of assistance to Russia and stop contributing to the prolongation of the war. It recommended coordinating a diplomatic initiative within the transatlantic and G7 frameworks to encourage China to use its considerable influence over Russia to end its war of aggression. Members expressed grave concern over verified reports that the Chinese military has trained Russian soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
Reduce strategic dependencies
Parliament called on the EU to take urgent measures to reduce its strategic dependence on China, particularly in critical raw materials, critical medicines, batteries, electric vehicles, ICT, and semiconductors, and to establish robust mechanisms to safeguard critical technologies, infrastructure, and supply chains, promoting European strategic autonomy while maintaining a pragmatic dialogue with China that facilitates non-conflictual coexistence. It called for an investigation into China's coercive behaviour in the area of rare earths and for consideration of the use of the anti-coercion instrument.
Parliament stressed that China's electric vehicle market poses a serious threat to the EU market and suggested adopting effective legislation to prevent the technologies used in these vehicles from being used to collect sensitive data.
Furthermore, it called for the strict enforcement of customs duties on small non-EU parcels valued at EUR 150 or less, as well as strengthened controls on dangerous or non-compliant products sold on Chinese online platforms (such as Temu, Shein, or AliExpress).
Members recommended taking measures to prevent further security risks arising from Chinese investments abroad by strengthening foreign direct investment screening in Member States, particularly in strategic sectors, and by urgently addressing China's monopolistic positions in critical and essential supply chains. They called for addressing the issue of unfair competition for European green technology industries.
Reciprocity
Parliament called for i) joint action on the implications of technological and economic competition with China, in particular the asymmetry in market access and the lack of legal certainty for European companies in China; ii) stressing the need for reciprocity and a level playing field in all trade and investment relations with China; iii) insisting that Beijing remove barriers and unfair practices that violate World Trade Organization (WTO) commitments; and iv) supporting proportionate EU actions to defend its interests if China does not ensure reciprocity in market access.
Members also called for strengthening partnerships within the framework of the Global Gateway project, which they described as a credible alternative to China's Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in Africa and Latin America. The recommendation reaffirmed that the EU's One China policy is the guiding framework for EU foreign policy decisions regarding Taiwan and that the EU has never endorsed the One China principle and opposes any provocation or unilateral attempt to violate the status quo by force or coercion, or against the will of the Taiwanese people. Members stressed the importance of deepening economic and technological cooperation with Taiwan in areas such as semiconductors and cybersecurity to safeguard critical supply chains.
Foreign interference and human rights
Members called for enhanced resilience against cyberattacks, foreign interference, espionage, and hybrid threats, while also urging stronger dialogue on human rights and increased pressure on China regarding repression, forced labour, and policies in Tibet and Xinjiang. Parliament expressed deep concern over the passage of the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress and called for further strengthened EU pressure regarding the China’s ongoing atrocities against Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims.
The Foreign Affairs Council and the European Council are called on to pay greater attention to China as a strategic global player, to adopt more regular conclusions on EU-China relations, and to provide clear guidance on priorities and coordinated actions.