Strasbourg, 11/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - Following the debate on China, held in Strasbourg on Wednesday (see EUROPE 9700), the European Parliament, on Thursday 10 July, adopted a joint resolution from the EPP-ED, PES and UEN Groups and amended by the ALDE Group by 439 votes to 51, with 139 abstentions. The resolution regrets that “while there has been major progress in relations with China as regards trade and economics, that progress has not been accompanied by substantial achievements as regards issues relating to human rights and democracy”. Speaking of “systematic human rights abuses”, Parliament recalled commitments made by China to human rights when the country won the right to host the Olympic Games. The EP welcomed, however, the resumption of contact with representatives of the Dalai Lama and the way in which the Chinese authorities handled the consequences of the violent earthquake that struck the south-east of China on 12 May 2008. (O.J./transl.rt)