2021年4月1日
Mark O’Neill
EJ Insight
Xinjiang sanctions threaten China-EU investment agreement
It took years to negotiate the European Union-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). Now, less than three months later, it appears that it may not be approved by the European Parliament because of a bitter row over the treatment of Uyghurs in Xinjiang.
The two sides announced the deal last December 30. "The agreement will create a better balance in the EU-China trade relationship," the EU said in a statement. "It will provide unprecedented access to the Chinese market for European investors." After legal review and translation, it must be approved by the EU Council and the European Parliament (EP).
Then, on March 22, the EU announced sanctions against four Chinese officials who it said had abused human rights in Xinjiang. It was the first such sanctions by the EU since the military crackdown on student-led protest in Beijing in spring 1989.
Enraged, Beijing immediately placed sanctions on a number of European individuals, including five members of the EP, and four institutions in revenge. Since then, the row has escalated. ...
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