European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee wraps up China mission

Delegation returns from Beijing after tense diplomatic exchanges

A delegation from the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee has concluded its mission to China, marking one of the most significant direct parliamentary engagements between Brussels and Beijing in recent years. The visit, which took place over several days, brought MEPs face-to-face with Chinese officials at a moment when EU-China relations are under serious strain.

The trip wasn’t a diplomatic courtesy call. Tensions over trade imbalances, technology restrictions, and China’s position on the war in Ukraine all featured prominently in the discussions. The EU recorded a trade deficit with China of roughly €291 billion in 2023 alone — a figure that’s been driving frustration in European capitals for months.

Human rights and Taiwan among the difficult conversations

MEPs didn’t shy away from raising uncomfortable subjects. The situation in Xinjiang, Hong Kong’s eroded political freedoms, and cross-strait tensions with Taiwan were all put on the table. Chinese officials pushed back, as expected, defending their domestic policies and calling on the EU to refrain from what Beijing describes as interference in internal affairs.

But the European side held its ground. A senior delegation official said the committee was clear that “a stable and productive relationship with China cannot sidestep fundamental issues of human rights and international law.” That’s the kind of language Beijing typically bristles at, and it signals that European lawmakers aren’t willing to soften their tone just to keep talks moving.

Trade and technology sit at the heart of the dispute

Beyond the political flashpoints, economics dominated much of the agenda. The EU’s ongoing anti-subsidy investigation into Chinese electric vehicles has rattled bilateral ties, and MEPs pressed Chinese counterparts on what Beijing intends to do about what European industry calls an uneven playing field.

China’s tech sector — and specifically restrictions on European companies operating there — also came up repeatedly. Still, neither side is talking about decoupling. The language from the EU side has consistently been about “de-risking,” not cutting ties entirely.

The two economies remain deeply intertwined, with bilateral trade in goods topping €780 billion last year.

What comes next for EU-China relations

The delegation’s findings will feed into the European Parliament’s ongoing work on EU foreign policy toward China. A formal report is expected in the coming weeks, and it could influence how the EU shapes its approach ahead of any future summit between Brussels and Beijing.

And with the new European Commission now firmly in place and defining its external priorities, the timing of this mission matters. The committee’s conclusions will likely inform debates about whether the EU needs a harder-edged China strategy — or a more nuanced one that keeps dialogue alive while pushing back where it counts.

Either way, the conversation is far from over. If anything, this mission was just the opening move.