EP resolutions

Hong Kong, notably the cases of Jimmy Lai and the 45 activists recently convicted under the national security law (28 November 2024)

The Hong Kong government must immediately and unconditionally release all pro-democracy politicians, activists and journalists sentenced on national security charges, including Jimmy Lai and Chung Pui-Ken, and drop all charges against them, MEPs say.

The National Security Law and the Safeguarding National Security Ordinance, which constitute a serious violation of international law, fundamental freedoms and rule of law in Hong Kong, must be repealed, they add. Parliament also condemns the extraterritorial application of the National Security Law and the increasing repression by Chinese and Hong Kong authorities aimed at diaspora communities in the EU.

MEPs urge the Council to review its 2020 conclusions on Hong Kong and impose sanctions on Hong Kong and Chinese officials responsible for human rights violations.

The resolution was adopted by 473 votes for, 23 against, and 98 abstentions.

The misinterpretation of UN resolution 2758 by the People’s Republic of China and its continuous military provocations around Taiwan (24 October 2024)

Parliament condemns China's continued military provocations against Taiwan and firmly rejects any unilateral change to the status-quo in the Taiwan Strait.

These attempts, particularly by means of force or coercion, will not be accepted and will incur a decisive and firm reaction, warn MEPs. In a resolution adopted by 432 votes in favour, 60 against and 71 abstentions on Thursday 24 October 2024, they condemn China's unwarranted military exercises of 14 October and continued military provocations against Taiwan, stressing that the military build-up changes the power balance in the Indo-Pacific. Parliament also strongly rejects China's attempts to distort history and international rules and underlines that UN resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan.

The EU remains committed to its 'One China' policy as the political foundation of EU-China relations, supporting initiatives that foster dialogue and confidence-building, stresses the text.

The cases of unjustly imprisoned Uyghurs in China, notably Ilham Tohti and Gulshan Abbas (10 October 2024)

China must immediately and unconditionally release Ilham Tohti, 2019 Sakharov Prize laureate, and Gulshan Abbas, as well as all those arbitrarily detained in China, MEPs say. They strongly condemn the human rights violations against Uyghurs and people in Tibet, Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

The resolution demands that all internment camps be closed and denounces abusive policies, intense surveillance, forced labour, sterilisation, birth prevention measures and the destruction of the Uyghur identity, which amount to crimes against humanity and constitute a serious risk of genocide. MEPs welcome the EU's forced labour regulation and call on businesses operating in China to comply with the human rights due diligence obligations.

The resolution was adopted by 540 votes for, 23 against, and 47 abstentions.

The new security law in Hong Kong and the cases of Andy Li and Joseph John (25 April 2024)

The resolution strongly condemns the adoption of the Safeguarding National Security Ordonnance (SNSO) in Hong Kong, expanding the National Security Law (NSL) imposed by China, and urges China and Hong Kong to repeal both laws.

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 demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mr Ding Yuande and all Falun Gong practitioners in China. They strongly condemn the persecution of Falun Gong practitioners, and other minorities, including Uyghurs and Tibetans by the People's Republic of China (PRC). They call for the PRC to end its domestic and transnational surveillance, control and suppression of religious freedom.

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)

MEPs adopted on 13 December 2023 by show of hands a resolution calling on the EU to increase trade and investment cooperation with Taiwan through a formal bilateral agreement.

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.