China-Europe relations: long-term policy relations

In adopting the report by Mr Edward McMillan-Scott (EPP, UK) on relations between China and Europe, Parliament calls on the Council and Commission to enter into direct negotiations with the authorities of the People's Republic of China as soon as possible with a view to signature of the framework economic and trade cooperation agreement at a level that reflects the potential of relations between the European Union and the People's Republic of China subject to the traditional human rights clause and the possibility of suspending it in the event that these essential values are not respected. It confirms its wish to see China a full member of the World Trade Organization and calls on the Commission to submit a six-monthly evaluation of developments there regarding human rights respect for international economic instruments and the situation regarding trade between the two parties. - Regarding cooperation it calls, 1. on China: . to legislate on the right of establishment of NGOs within its territory, . to support fully international environmental initiatives, . to undertake a programme of legislative reforms compatible with development and a market economy (freedom of movement of persons etc.) and to provide guarantees for the rights of foreign investors, . to introduce a constitutional democracy based on universal principles including the rule of law, freedom of opinion, freedom of association, respect for and protection of privacy, integrity of the person, the right to a fair trial, the right to own sell and fructify agricultural holdings; 2. on the Union: . to develop special programmes for environmental cooperation in order to limit environmental pollution and the environmental impact of the developing Chinese industrial industry, . to establish schemes for legal cooperation (such as the training of lawyers and judges) and to intensify its programme of education and cultural exchanges, . to establish vocational training schemes in areas such as compliance with environmental law, information technology etc., . to support the establishment in Beijing of an office representing the commercial interests of the EU and to develop the Code of Conduct covering economic and social aspects for EU companies doing business in China, . to set up a task force to assist in the development of China's internal market according to the principle of sustainable development. - Concerning international affairs, Parliament deplores the role played by China in the development of nuclear arms in Pakistan and calls on it to cease its support for the Burmese military junta. In particular, it urges China to impose a total ban on anti-personnel mines and sees no justification for the lifting of the EU arms embargo imposed on China in 1989. It also notes with concern the 'strategic alliance' with Russia which may lead to unprecedented arms sales to China and calls on China to have recourse to the mechanisms of the UN to resolve regional territorial and sovereignty problems. - Concerning respect for human rights Parliament calls on China: . to sign without reservations the international covenant on civil and political rights, . to abolish the death penalty and proclaim forthwith a moratorium on executions, . to release all political prisoners, . to allow Wei Jingsheng, the winner of the Sakharov prize to be received by the European Parliament, . to repeal its laws that are incompatible with the development of a State governed by the rule of law and respect for individual rights, . to expand cooperation with international human rights organizations, . to accept the Dalai Lama's proposal concerning recognition of the cultural and religious autonomy of the Tibetan people and its right to self government, . to improve Chinese labour standards to bring them into line with international rules. In addition, it calls on the Commission to open investigations into forced labour and prison labour in China. - Concerning Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan, Parliament insists on the full implementation of bilateral agreements on Hong Kong and Macao and resolves to monitor closely the situation in these two enclaves after the handovers. In particular it condemns the Chinese Government's decision to dissolve Hong Kong's elected legislative council and to introduce laws limiting freedom of assembly and political freedoms. It calls on the Commission to draw up an annual report on political and economic development in Hong Kong and Macao and calls on the Member States to grant a permanent right of residence for the victims of political discrimination in Hong Kong. It also calls on China to undertake publicly not to resort to force in its differences with Taiwan and calls on the Commission to open an information office in Taipeh.�