European Parliament in ‘final stages’ of talks with China to remove sanctions on lawmakers

The European Parliament is in the “final stages” of discussions with Beijing about removing sanctions on its members, smoothing the way for improved relations with the bloc, according to a spokesperson for the lawmaking body.

“Discussions with the Chinese authorities are continuing and in their final stages,” the spokesperson said.

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola “will first inform group leaders once there is official confirmation from the Chinese authorities that sanctions have been lifted. It has always been the EP’s intention to have sanctions lifted and resume relations with China”, the spokesperson added.

It is understood that Metsola has met the Chinese ambassador several times and worked intensively over the past weeks to get this over the finish line.

The Chinese government put retaliatory sanctions on some MEPs in 2021, after the EU sanctioned some Chinese officials and entities over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.

The plan to remove sanctions was first reported by Noah Barkin, a senior adviser at Rhodium Group, a US research house, on his LinkedIn page.