The European Parliament has lifted previous restrictions on meetings with certain Chinese officials, indicating a potential improvement in EU-China relations. Originally implemented in April 2023 as a response to sanctions over human rights abuses, this shift marks a significant change in diplomatic engagement. Notably, the Parliament retains measures against officials from Russia and Belarus. The move reflects a contextual adjustment in foreign policy amid growing tensions with Washington.

The European Parliament has recently lifted restrictions on lawmakers’ meetings with certain Chinese officials, suggesting a possible improvement in EU-China relations. These guidelines were initially established in April 2023 as a response to a series of sanctions implemented in 2021 over allegations of human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region.

Under the previous recommendations, both China and Iran were included in guidelines that barred inviting official officials to the European Parliament and prohibited official missions unless they included a sanctioned member. Bilateral contacts were also limited to designated office holders, with mandates to notify the Parliament’s services about meetings at multilateral forums.

The shift in approach was initiated during a meeting with senior legislators last month, where European Parliament President Roberta Metsola suggested withdrawing the existing measures. In contrast, restrictions on officials from Russia and Belarus continue to be enforced. A spokesperson for the European Parliament articulated that the “non-binding guidelines regarding contacts with some third country representatives were issued at a very specific time and context.”

The removal of restrictions on meetings between European lawmakers and Chinese officials marks a significant moment that could indicate a shift towards improved relations between the European Union and China. This change comes against a backdrop of heightened tensions with the United States and underscores the European Parliament’s evolving stance on diplomatic engagement, particularly as it continues to maintain strict guidelines regarding contacts with Russia and Belarus.

Original Source: www.scmp.com

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