DELEGATION FOR RELATIONS WITH THE PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
(37 Members)
Chairs of the Delegation
1980-1982 Mr Gilles MARTINET (PSE, France)
1983-1984 Mrs Marie Jacqueline DESOUCHES (PSE, France)
1984-1986 Mr Enzo BETTIZA (LDR, Italy)
1986-1989 Mr Geoffrey HOON (PSE, United Kingdom)
1989-1994 Mr Enzo BETTIZA (PSE, Italy)
1994-1996 Mr Stefano DE LUCA (UPE, Italy)
1997-1999 Mr Per GAHRTON (Green, Sweden)
1999-2001 Mr Per GAHRTON (Green, Sweden)
2002-2004 Mrs Elly PLOOIJ-VAN GORSEL (ELDR, Netherlands)
2004-2009 Mr Dirk STERCKX (ALDE, Belgium)
2009-2014 Mr Crescenzio RIVELLINI (EPP, Italy)
2014-2019 Mr Jo LEINEN (S&D, Germany)
2019- Mr Reinhard BÜTIKOFER (Greens, Germany)
Brief history of the delegation
Parliament's Delegation for relations with the People's Republic of China was established following the first direct European elections in 1979, and IPMs have been taking place since 1980.
The EU's relations with China were established in 1975. They are governed by the 1985 EU-China Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The EU is China's biggest trading partner, while China is the EU's largest source of imports and second largest two-way trading partner. Negotiations on EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI) were launched in 2014 and are still ongoing. Annual summits and regular political, trade and economic dialogues are held, including over sixty thematic dialogues and agreements.
The main task of the delegation is to maintain relations with the National People's Congress (NPC) through regular inter-parliamentary meetings. The delegation is also the focal point for relations with the legislative councils of the Special Administrative Regions (SARs) of Hong Kong and Macao, and the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan.
The Delegation for relations with China is Parliament's second-largest interparliamentary delegation. It has 37 full members and an equal number of substitutes, however currently 35.
From 2007 until 2015 it was a standard practice to hold two IPMs each year - one in Europe and one in China. In 2016 to 2018, under the current rules, there has been one IPM annually, alternating between Europe and China. The latest IPM, the 41st, was held on 8 May 2018 in Beijing. From time to time the delegation bureau has also visited China.
The importance of Parliament in the development of the EU-China relationship is widely recognised, by the EEAS, the Commission and other EU Institutions, member States and the Chinese authorities. In the past it has been stated that 'the European Parliament plays a central role and should expand co-operation with the Chinese National People's Congress'.
In addition to the formal meetings, the delegation Chair regularly meets separately with the Chinese ambassador and other embassy representatives, as well as with other individuals and groups involved in EU-China relations, including EEAS officials, high-level officials of the EU, think tanks and NGOs.
Activities during the 8th parliamentary term (2014-2019)
Main delegation activities
History of first EU-China IPMs
Other visits to the European Parliament and the China Delegation