The president of the European Commission on Tuesday criticized the “military stance” and “policy of economic coercion” adopted by China, warning member states against the strategy of “divide and rule” followed by Beijing.
“China has strengthened its military stance and also expanded its policy of economic coercion, as we have already been able to verify, from Lithuania to Australia”argued Ursula von der Leyen at the start of the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg (France).
The President of the Commission justified the allegations with the military exercises that Beijing has conducted in recent weeks, namely near the border with India and in the Taiwan Strait: “The European Union’s ‘One China’ policy has been in place for a long time. We continue to advocate relentlessly for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and strongly oppose any unilateral change to the status quo, particularly through the use of force. “
Beijing’s actions show that the country has “turned the page from the era of reform and openness to an era of security and control,” von der Leyen added.
“It is necessary to recognize – and say it – that the actions of the Communist Party of China today accompany long-explained aspirations to harden the country’s strategic stance.”completed the President of the European Commission for the Members of the European Parliament.
The sole subject of von der Leyen’s speech was China and what the relationship of the 27 as a whole with Beijing could – and should – be.
As he explained to MEPs, von der Leyen told Chinese President Xi Jinping that there are opportunities that can be seized through closer relations with China, but there are also insurmountable red lines, such as the “condemnation of human rights violations in Xinjiang” or the need for transparency about the subsidies it gives to Chinese companies and respect for intellectual property.
The People’s Republic of China has been accused for years by various non-governmental organizations of human rights violations and even genocide against the Uyghur population, mainly Muslims. There are reports of detentions in concentration camps and disrespect for basic rights in a region speculated to be home to approximately 12 million people from this ethnic minority.
Ursula von der Leyen also called for a union of member states against and “strong coordination between the European institutions” to “endure a strategy of divide and conquer” followed by the People’s Republic of China: “It is time for the European Union to show that unity makes us stronger.”
To do this, the 27 must “look at economic resilience”, namely by diversifying and strengthening other supply chains, looking at the vulnerabilities of the European economy and strengthening “key areas — energy, health and pharmaceuticals, food security and defense capabilities” .
Source: DN
