European lawmaker warns Europe to talk the truth about Beijing’s aggression

Reinhard Bütikofer, co-chairperson of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, says that the European Union must take a firm stance in today's summit with Xi Jinping. For him, “Europe cannot allow Beijing leaders to bully any of our member states or our partners”. China's peaceful rise has turned hegemonic. China has breached the Sino-Vatican agreement.

Brussels (AsiaNews) – "I expect European leaders to talk truth about the PRC's (People’s Republic of China) aggression,” said Reinhard Bütikofer, co-chair of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, speaking to AsiaNews about today’s meeting between European Union leaders and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“Foreign Minister Wang's comments on the Czech President's visit to Taiwan is a case in point. Europe cannot allow Beijing leaders to bully any of our member states or our partners,” he explained.

The meeting via videoconference aims primarily to smooth out the differences that hinder the conclusion of a major investment deal between the EU and China before the end of the year.

For Bütikofer, co-spokesperson for the European Green Party, the policies of the Chinese Communist Party systematically ignore China's international obligations, undermining trust. This comes with a price.

He laments that “What used to be promoted as ‘China's peaceful rise’ has now turned into arrogant policies with hegemonic ambitions”.

Bütikofer notes that China is currently involved in disputes with India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines, Taiwan and Japan.

The German Member of the European Parliament is also worried about China’s domestic repression against Uyghurs in Xinjiang, Tibetans, ethnic Mongolians, human rights lawyers and Hong Kong residents. The latter are deprived of rights and autonomy once guaranteed them.

Hence, there are many reasons to be concerned and the EU should have to raise these issues with the Chinese president.

Lastly, Bütikofer notes that Beijing has also violated an agreement with the Vatican over the appointment of Chinese bishops. "I would hope that the Vatican finds adequate language to deal with this transgression."

• china
• european union
• reinhard bütikofer
• european parliament
• green party
• inter-parliamentary alliance on china
• vatican
• bishops