The EU could throw out its landmark trade deal with China over concerns about Beijing's human rights record
A leading member of the European Parliament has raised significant concerns about the EU's landmark investment deal with China over its alleged human rights abuses and fears that it could harm relations with the new Biden administration.
The EU-China investment deal aims to liberalize trade between Beijing and Brussels and was struck in the last days of December after last-minute concessions from Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
But there is mounting concern in the European Parliament, which still needs to approve the deal, about the deal given China's human rights record on issues including alleged forced labor camps and a crackdown in Hong Kong which began last year.
"To lay such a Christmas present under Xi Jinping's Christmas tree after the year that we've had with China, that is quite a stretch," said Reinhard Bütikofer, chair of the European Parliament's China delegation, in an interview with Insider.
Source: Business Insider #Jan17
https://www.businessinsider.com/china-human-rights-european-parliament-concerns-over-eu-china-deal-2021-1
#EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EUParliament #ChinaAbuseHumanRight
A leading member of the European Parliament has raised significant concerns about the EU's landmark investment deal with China over its alleged human rights abuses and fears that it could harm relations with the new Biden administration.
The EU-China investment deal aims to liberalize trade between Beijing and Brussels and was struck in the last days of December after last-minute concessions from Chinese premier Xi Jinping.
But there is mounting concern in the European Parliament, which still needs to approve the deal, about the deal given China's human rights record on issues including alleged forced labor camps and a crackdown in Hong Kong which began last year.
"To lay such a Christmas present under Xi Jinping's Christmas tree after the year that we've had with China, that is quite a stretch," said Reinhard Bütikofer, chair of the European Parliament's China delegation, in an interview with Insider.
Source: Business Insider #Jan17
https://www.businessinsider.com/china-human-rights-european-parliament-concerns-over-eu-china-deal-2021-1
#EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EUParliament #ChinaAbuseHumanRight
Business Insider
The EU could throw out its landmark trade deal with China over concerns about Beijing's human rights record
Anxiety about the deal with China includes concerns over alleged human rights abuses and fears of harming relations with the new Biden administration.
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
24 Hong Kong democracy activists including 13 in exile have warned the EU it must not ratify its planned new investment deal with China at a time when Beijing is tearing up international obligations to the people in Hong Kong
They have written to the EU commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, to call for the EU to refuse to sign the treaty until China’s national security laws are repealed and restrictions on who can stand for election are lifted.
The letter, facilitated by Hong Kong Watch, is co-signed by leading activists including Ted Hui, Lam Wing-kee, Brian Leung, Nathan Law, Joe Tay, Ray Wong, Glacier Kwong, Finn Lau, Simon Cheng and Joey Siu.
The activists write: “Given that Beijing is in the process of rewriting Hong Kong’s electoral system in direct contravention to its international obligations under the Sino-British Joint Declaration, is currently undertaking mass arrests and trials of pro-democracy lawmakers and activists under the draconian National Security Law, and is infringing on basic freedoms guaranteed both under the Basic Law and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, we do not see how the EU can move ahead with ratification of this investment treaty.”
Source: The Guardian #Mar11
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/11/hong-kong-activists-urge-eu-not-to-ratify-new-deal-with-china
#HongKong #EUChinaInvestmentDeal #EU #HKNationalSecurityLaw #HKNSL
the Guardian
Hong Kong activists urge EU not to ratify new deal with China
Exclusive: Activists say EU should refuse to sign treaty until national security laws and election restrictions are lifted