Following the sentencing of the Hong Kong pro-democracy activists on April 16, the website of the European Union Delegation to China issued a statement saying that “developments in Hong Kong raise questions about China’s willingness to meet its international commitments,” which “undermines trust and affects Europe-China relations. ” In response, the French sinologist Béchard criticized the EU’s statement as too weak, arguing that condemnation was warranted but far from sufficient and that the EU should take concrete action.
The EU must take concrete actions, such as imposing sanctions on Hong Kong government officials and officials of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government, and freezing their assets in Europe. Hong Kong is a cosmopolitan city and needs the support of the international community, as well as the support of multinational corporations. The international community must respond to the state of affairs in Hong Kong today. Hong Kong today is no longer a system under one country, two systems. The EU should also react to the freedom of the press in Hong Kong, because, freedom of the press is crucial for Hong Kong, and without it, then Hong Kong is no different from mainland China. “
How will Beijing keep its climate commitments if it breaks them in Hong Kong?
In addition, Bai Xia called on Europe not to ignore human rights in China when negotiating climate with the Chinese government, which he believes is being used by Beijing as a new geopolitical bargaining chip. The climate issue is also opening a new page in U.S.-China diplomacy as Beijing convenes a climate summit with France and Germany on the same day as the Hong Kong court ruling against Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists. For Beijing, restarting dialogue with the West on climate issues is inexpensive because climate commitments are time-bound and do not need to be delivered in the short term.
Europe cannot make concessions on Xinjiang and Hong Kong because of China’s climate commitments, because if China cannot keep its international commitments on Hong Kong, how will it keep its commitments on climate?
In addition, Reuters reported that Brussels failed to pass a motion of censure on Monday over Beijing’s Hong Kong policy due to obstruction from Hungary. The report cited two diplomats as saying that Hungary blocked an EU statement criticizing China’s enactment of a new security law in Hong Kong, and that Budapest reluctantly backed the EU sanctions last month, calling them “meaningless” and hosting the Communist Party’s defense minister for an official visit just days after the EU sanctions decision.
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