European Parliament calls for increased pressure on China over support for Russia's war against Ukraine

Parliamentary resolution ahead of visit to Beijing

On 7 October, at a plenary session in Strasbourg, European Parliament members approved recommendations on the strategy for relations with the People's Republic of China. The vote took place on the eve of the second round of consultations between the European Commission and the Chinese side. 454 representatives voted in favour of the document, 86 voted against, and 110 abstained.

Demands to stop the war

The text of the resolution emphasises that Beijing plays a critical role in enabling Russia to continue its illegal aggressive war against Ukraine. According to the report by the Committee on Foreign Affairs, China is the largest supplier of dual-use goods and facilitates the circumvention of international restrictions.

«Китай відіграє вирішальну роль у забезпеченні можливостей Росії вести незаконну та неспровоковану агресивну війну проти України, є найбільшим постачальником товарів подвійного призначення та допомагає обходити санкції. Без підтримки Китаю та інших країн Росія не могла б вести свою агресивну війну проти України в таких масштабах і з такою силою» (China plays a decisive role in enabling Russia to wage its illegal and unprovoked aggressive war against Ukraine, is the largest supplier of dual-use goods, and helps circumvent sanctions. Without the support of China and other countries, Russia would not have been able to wage its aggressive war against Ukraine on such a scale and with such force), the report with recommendations prepared by the Committee on Foreign Affairs states.

Concern over military supplies

The European Parliament recommends that the Council of the EU, the European Commission, and the High Representative of the EU condemn Beijing's role in supporting Russian aggression and "raise the price of such a position" for China.

«Особливе занепокоєння викликають достовірні свідчення дедалі більшої участі Китаю в ланцюгах постачання російського озброєння та безпілотників. Ідеться, зокрема, про технології подвійного призначення, компоненти й високотехнологічне обладнання, які безпосередньо посилюють здатність Росії завдавати ударів по українських цивільних та інфраструктурі» (Particular concern is raised by credible evidence of China's increasing involvement in the supply chains for Russian weapons and drones. This includes, in particular, dual-use technologies, components, and high-tech equipment that directly enhance Russia's ability to strike Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure), the recommendations state.

Proposals on sanctions and diplomacy

The document contains a demand for China to immediately cease any assistance to Russia. The authors propose launching a joint diplomatic initiative with EU countries, transatlantic partners, and G7 nations, which entails clear demands on Beijing and consequences for ignoring them.

China must use its influence to ensure that Russia stops its aggression, withdraws its troops from temporarily occupied territories, pays reparations, and unconditionally releases prisoners of war, detained civilians, and children.

Separately, it is proposed to expand targeted restrictions against companies and participants in supply chains that assist Russia, strengthen countermeasures against shadow maritime shipping and re-export schemes, and prevent the transfer of sensitive technologies to countries under EU sanctions.

Broader context of relations with the PRC

The report also covers broader relations with China: trade imbalance, the EU's dependence on Chinese raw materials and technologies, the human rights situation, and security in the Taiwan Strait. At the same time, its authors emphasise the need to maintain dialogue with Beijing on global issues.

Negotiations in Beijing

On 8-9 October, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic will hold the second round of consultations in Beijing with Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao. The European Commission lists among the topics China's exports to the EU, access for European companies to the PRC market, and restrictions on the export of rare earth materials. Thus, the Parliament adopted the recommendation precisely on the eve of this visit.