On Wednesday 12 September, MEPs called for the partnership between the European Union and China to be strengthened, as China is "a major economic and political actor". Conditions should nevertheless be laid down for strengthening this partnership.
According to the long report on EU-China relations by Bas Belder (ECR, Netherlands), which was adopted in plenary by a large majority (538 votes in favour, 53 against and 55 abstentions), "the EU's dialogue with China must be realistic, pragmatic and founded on principles, and (it must stay) faithful to the EU's interests and values".
"Reciprocity, the application of identical conditions for all, and fair competition are aspects that should be strengthened in all areas of cooperation", the Parliament adds. In the Parliament's view, Europeans should agree on a united position and common economic strategy with regard to China.
Saying that the balance of trade in goods is in Beijing's favour, MEPs call for "a step of cooperation and a constructive attitude in order to effectively remedy the problems that arise and exploit the considerable potential" of bilateral trade. The Parliament asks the EU, but especially China, to renew efforts to advance the negotiations on a global investment agreement that were launched in 2013.
MEPs also call for measures to counter China's attempts to take control of strategic European infrastructure through the country's Belt and Road initiative for a new Silk Route. They furthermore aim at adopting the proposal "as quickly as possible" that introduces a community framework for filtering foreign direct investment in sectors of strategic activity. Inter-institutional negotiations have now started on this (see EUROPE 12060).
The Commission should be attentive to markets awarded to foreign companies that are suspected of dumping practices, and it should take measures if necessary, the Parliament adds. The MEPs call for active monitoring of Chinese measures to distort trade, as well as for appropriate measures within the WTO.
In the MEPs' view, an "authentic partnership between the EU and China is crucial for resolving global and regional problems" such as security, cooperation for peace, climate change, energy and migration. Emphasis is also placed on human rights and their universality. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)