Today in Brussels the European Parliament is discussing the relationship between the EU and China. According to journalist and China expert Fred Sengers, it will turn into an “attack on China” party. Sengers points out, however, that there is a big difference between what the European Parliament thinks of China and what the European Commission and individual member states think about it. Sengers therefore expects many motions asking the Commission to take a tough position ‘and then everyone goes their own way’.
Commission President Ursula von der Leyen recently said that geopolitical relations between China and Europe are becoming more difficult and distant. Sengers agrees with Von der Leyen. Up until a few years ago the emphasis was still entirely on the business opportunities that the rise of China brought with it, today it has changed. There’s now much more focus on the risks and downsides of that relationship. Sengers also highlights how much the sour relationship between the US and China is impacting Europe.
De-risk
According to Sengers, the European Parliament is strongly critical of China. Although there have been many diplomatic communications with European leaders who have traveled to Beijing in recent weeks, commission chair Von der Leyen used the term “derisking” for the first time when she spoke about Sino-European relations. “And that is why the European Parliament felt it was time to put China on the agenda, so that they too could contribute their share.”
“That parliament is quite critical of China, especially after sanctions against five members of that parliament were announced in 2021.”
At the same time, Sengers points out that European leaders such as Macron, Baerbock and Sanchez travel to China on their own initiative. However, this doesn’t necessarily have to bite each other, he thinks. ‘I think ultimately there is not much light between how people in most European capitals think about China and how the European Commission thinks. Because everyone supports a pragmatic relationship with China».
“It will be an attack on China for two hours, then everyone will go their own way”
No disconnection
Decoupling is not an option, relations with China must be managed in one way or another, Sengers expresses the pragmatic attitude of the Commission and of the heads of European governments. But the European Parliament thinks differently. “Parliament has a much more ideological vision and puts the emphasis mainly on human rights, Taiwan, unfair trade practices and not forgetting what we expect from Ukraine”.
While the European Parliament does not cover how European countries do business with China, Sengers expects it to “bang China for two hours” and sees mixed emotions with the Commission calling for a firmer stance on China. “And then everyone here goes her way.”
Source: BNR
Sharon Rock is an author and journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. She has a passion for learning about different cultures and understanding the complexities of the world. With a talent for explaining complex global issues in an accessible and engaging way, Sharon has become a respected voice in the field of world news journalism.
