Brussels, 05/03/2002 (Agence Europe) - The EP's Committee on Foreign Affairs has adopted the report by Vasco Graça Moura on the European Commission's communication concerning the European Union's strategy towards China (see EUROPE of 2 March, p.14). It proposes that the Parliament give its support to this strategy while stressing the great progress this country has still to make if it is to comply with international norms for the protection of human rights.
The report confirms the support afforded by MEPs to the economic and social reforms in progress in China but considers that additional progress should be made concerning application of law, the creation of independent trade unions and measures allowing social demands to be met. The Commission is invited to examine an updated and coherent partnership agreement. Concerning Taiwan, the report recalls the EU's attachment to the policy of a single China and recommends a peaceful solution to the dispute, in the hope that talks will be initiated as soon as possible between the two parties. It also calls on China to reach tangible results as far as human rights are concerned, especially in Tibet. The report again calls for Tibet's autonomy within the Republic of China and invites Chinese authorities to resume direct negotiations with the Dalaï Lama. Given the growing number of executions, the use of torture, the trade in human organs (often taken from prisoners), and restrictions on the media, the report calls for abolition of the death penalty and acceleration of reforms. MEPs also propose that the preparation of the Olympic Games 2008 should be accompanied by an international monitoring mechanism to ensure that China makes the necessary effort.
"You can't force a tiger to become vegetarian", Mr Wu says
Harry Wu, who heads a US-based foundation whose main aim is to abolish the "laogaî", or internment camps, and improve respect of human rights in China, expressed his views the day when this report was adopted before the working group on "human rights" at the EP Committee on Foreign Affairs. In his view, the political dialogue initiated by the EU with the Chinese authorities could raise a real ethical issue. "You can't force a tiger to become vegetarian", he said, showing great pessimism about the ability of the powers that be to retain anything from the "democratic apprenticeship". He also fears that the Olympic Games of 2008 will help to legitimise the authorities in place instead of bringing the Chinese citizens out of their isolation.