China has decided to lift its sanctions against MEPs Michael Gahler (EPP, German), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D, French), Miriam Lexmann (EPP, Slovakian), Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew Europe, Bulgarian) and members of their families. Academics and civil society organisations under sanctions, as well as former MEP Reinhard Bütikofer, are expected to remain sanctioned.
By 2021, China had sanctioned ten individuals, four entities and the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights with travel bans and asset freeze. The European sanctions, which were at the root of China’s response, remain in force.
The President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, announced the news to the leaders of the political groups on Wednesday 30 April. According to a press release, they reiterated that the lifting of sanctions “does not mean that the European Parliament will turn a blind eye to the problems that characterise EU-China relations”.
The Chinese gesture is part of an attempt to calm relations between the EU and China. The two partners hope to find solutions to their trade differences, and even to relaunch discussions on an investment agreement. (Original version in French by Léa Marchal)