Key facts
- The European Parliament voted for a tougher China position on Wednesday.
- The chamber stated China is a 'decisive enabler' of Russia.
- MEPs called for a continuous European naval presence and joint exercises in the Taiwan Strait.
- The Parliament described China's industrial policy as an 'existential threat'.
- Lawmakers urged the EU to strengthen its approach to 'de-risking' relations with China.
- The resolution calls on China to stop supporting Russia's military aggression against Ukraine.
The European Parliament adopted a significantly tougher stance on China on Wednesday, following extensive lobbying from Beijing to moderate its position. The resolution, approved by a large majority in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, calls for stronger actions against China's industrial policy, its role in supporting Russia's war in Ukraine, and its actions in the Taiwan Strait.
Lawmakers described China's industrial policy as an "existential threat" and urged the EU to strengthen its approach to 'de-risking' relations. The Parliament also called for a continuous European naval presence and joint exercises in and around the Taiwan Strait. The vote comes just before Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič's visit to Beijing, where he will meet with Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao.
Several MEPs, including the report's author Hilde Vautmans, emphasized the need for Europe to use its economic power more forcefully. This aligns with a joint letter from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron, advocating for the European Commission to have more power to restrict imports from countries causing severe market distortions. However, some dissent was noted, with certain groups abstaining or voting against the report, and some national delegations preferring a more moderate content. Polish MEP Mariusz Kamiński characterized China as a "communist dictatorship that poses a threat to the free world."