EP resolutions
The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John (25 April 2024)
MEPs are appalled by the shutting down of pro-democracy political forces, civil society, news outlets and the arrest of over 200 people since the adoption of NSL. They urge the Hong Kong government to immediately and unconditionally release Andy Li, Joseph John, Jimmy Lai, all other pro-democratic activists, and drop all charges against them.
They demand the Council review its 2020 Conclusions on Hong Kong and adopt sanctions under the EU global human rights sanctions regime against Chief Executive John Lee and all officials responsible for the crackdown on freedoms in Hong Kong.
The resolution was adopted on 25 April 2024 by a show of hands.
The ongoing persecution of Falun Gong in China, notably the case of Mr Ding Yuande (18 January 2024)
MEPs call on the EU and member states to support and facilitate an international investigation into the persecution of Falun Gong, and to raise the persecution of religious minorities with the Chinese authorities. Member states should suspend extradition treaties with the PRC, MEPs add, and use national sanctions regimes and the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime (EUGHRSR) against all perpetrators, as well as entities that have contributed to the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners in China and abroad.
The text was adopted on 18 January 2024 by a show of hands.
The abduction of Tibetan children and forced assimilation practices through Chinese boarding schools in Tibet (14 December 2023)
Parliament strongly condemns the repressive assimilation policies in place throughout China, especially the boarding school system in Tibet that seeks to eliminate the distinct linguistic, cultural, and religious traditions among Tibetans and other minorities, such as Uyghurs. MEPs call for the immediate abolition of this authoritarian system imposed on children in Tibet and the practice of family separations as highlighted by United Nations experts, while urging the Chinese authorities to allow the establishment of private Tibetan schools. The text recalls the importance of the EU raising the issue of human rights violations in China, particularly the situation in Tibet, at every political and human rights dialogue with the Chinese authorities.
The resolution was adopted on 14 December 2023 by 477 votes in favour, 14 against with 45 abstentions.
EU-Taiwan trade and investment relations (13 December 2023)
The resolution urges the Commission to "swiftly begin working on a resilient supply chain agreement with Taiwan". MEPs say they see "cooperation opportunities in the key field of critical infrastructure protection, as well as against economic coercion and for economic security". The resolution calls for better cooperation on digital trade, customs and cyber resilience.
The non-legislative resolution highlights that Taiwan is crucial for the EU and global supply chains, and "emphasises the strategic importance of trade and economic relations with Taiwan, as a reliable and like-minded partner in the current geopolitical context in line with the European Union's economic security strategy".
EU-China relations (13 December 2023)
In a new report, MEPs want the EU to engage pragmatically with China on global challenges while continuing to confront Beijing over its severe human rights abuses.
On economic ties, MEPs stress the need to advance the stated goal of de-risking trade flows with China to reinforce the EU's open strategic autonomy, without turning inwards. They highlight the importance of reciprocal and balanced trade relations, to address the structural shortcoming of the Chinese market and improve fair conditions and market access for European companies.
Deploring China's deeply worrisome human rights record, the report urges the EU to call on the Chinese authorities to stop their crackdown on dissent and on religious and ethnic minorities, and halt their ongoing grave violations. MEPs refer to the alarming situation in Xinjiang and Tibet, but also recent and more long-term developments in Hong Kong and Macao.
The recommendations were adopted by 529 votes in favour, 47 against with 40 abstentions.
Framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials (12 December 2023)
The Critical Raw Materials Act is designed to make the EU more competitive and sovereign, by cutting red tape, fostering innovation along the entire value chain and supporting SMEs. It also aims to boost research, the development of alternative materials, and more environmentally-friendly mining and production methods.
The legislation will set up economic incentives and a more stable and secure business framework for mining and recycling projects, with faster and simpler authorisation procedures.
During negotiations with Council on the law, MEPs pushed for a stronger focus on the production and scale-up of materials that can substitute strategic raw materials. They secured the establishment of targets to foster the extraction of more strategic raw materials from waste products. MEPs also insisted on the need to cut red tape for companies, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The legislation was adopted on 12 December 2023 with 549 votes to 43, with 24 abstentions.
Implications of Chinese fishing operations for EU fisheries and the way forward (17 October 2023)
The European Parliament adopted on 17 October 2023 by 573 votes to 11, with 30 abstentions, a resolution on the implications of Chinese fishing operations on EU fisheries and the way forward.
Maritime strategy is an essential part of China's plan to expand its power. The politicisation and militarisation of its civil maritime sector can be observed, including with respect to fishing. The EU and China signed a bilateral agreement in 2018, known as the Blue Partnership, which aims to improve cooperation on global ocean governance. However, the Chinese seafood imported into the European market is the product of opaque operations and severely undermines the competitiveness of the EU single market.
Deterioration of fundamental freedoms in Hong Kong, notably the case of Jimmy Lai (15 June 2023)
Parliament urges the Hong Kong government to immediately release and drop all charges against pro-democratic representatives and activists, including prominent businessman and politician Jimmy Lai, who has been detained since February 2021 on trumped-up charges and accused of collusion with foreign forces and fraud on the grounds of the National Security Law. MEPs call on the European External Action Service and the EU Office in Hong Kong to step up their trial observations, report on the most prominent trials and request prison visits to Hongkongers in jail for exercising their basic rights. They also reiterate their call on all EU member states to suspend any extradition treaties with Hong Kong and the People's Republic of China.
The resolution was adopted on 15 June 2023 by 483 votes in favour, 9 against and 42 abstentions.
Chinese government crackdown on the peaceful protests across the People's Republic of China (15 December 2022)
MEPs express their support for protesters fighting for fundamental rights who are being persecuted by the Chinese government, notably in the context of the zero COVID-19 policy. They are concerned about violations of freedoms of expression, association, assembly, press and media in China - intensified by the use of mass surveillance - and demand that human rights be guaranteed.
MEPs point out, deploring the systematic repression of Uyghur ethnicity, notably in the Xinjiang region. MEPs highlight the arrest of a foreign journalist covering the protests and demand unhindered access to China for independent journalists, international observers and investigative bodies.
The resolution calls for sanctions against those responsible for crimes against humanity to be intensified, for better coordination regarding Chinese overseas police service stations and for addressing freedom of expression during official talks with China.
The situation in the Strait of Taiwan (15 September 2022)
Parliament strongly condemns the recent Chinese aggressive military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, while calling for strengthened EU relations with Taipei.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday 15 September 2022, MEPs denounce China's recent and unprecedented live-fire military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, which began in August 2022 following a visit to Taiwan by the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi.
They also demand the Chinese government refrain from any measures which could destabilise the Taiwan Strait and regional security. MEPs approved the text 424 votes in favour, 14 against with 46 abstentions.