The European Parliament has declared the advancement of the controversial market access treaty with China «frozen» in response to Beijing’s retaliatory sanctions.

The European Parliament overwhelmingly voted to halt the ratification of the China-EU Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI).

Yesterday’s resolution was passed with 599 votes in favor of the halt, 30 opposition votes and 58 absentations.

Xinjiang Uyghurs

The resolution was a response to retaliatory sanctions by Beijing against dozens of MEPs, diplomats, academics and think tanks after the EU imposed sanctions itself against Chinese officials over alleged mistreatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang. 

Those were the first human rights sanctions imposed by Europe against China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square incident. 

After Beijing’s retaliation, the European Commission’s vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said that political outreach to China was suspended and that the sanctions and counter-sanctions made «the environment not conducive for ratification of the [CAI] agreement».

«Shot Themselves in the Foot»

A chorus of MEPs commented on the resolution results, calling China’s move a misstep and expressing continued commitment to protect democratic values in Europe such as free speech and human rights.

«China miscalculated and shot themselves in the foot,» said Reinhard Bütikofer, one of five MEPs sanctioned and the chair of the Parliament's delegation for relations with China. «[Beijing’s efforts are] as ridiculous as they are arrogant, and they will fail». 

Conditions for Unfreezing

Despite the tensions, the vote does not mark the end of the deal and yesterday’s motion contained conditions for the potential resumptions of the market access treaty.

According to the motion, China must «lift the sanctions before dealing with CAI, without prejudice to the final outcome of the CAI ratification process», adding that the European Commission is expected to consult with the Parliament before a conclusive agreement is reached.

Beijing’s Response

In response, China continued to stand by its sanctions, calling its retaliatory move a «legitimate response», though it did not address the allegations of human rights violations. 

«China’s decision to take countermeasures is a legitimate response to the EU’s unilateral sanctions and confrontation,» said Beijing’s mission to the EU.

«China always has the sincerity to promote co-operation with the EU. We hope that the EU side will work with us in the same direction.»