Amid shifting U.S. foreign policy on the Ukraine war, the European Parliament has lifted restrictions on lawmakers meeting Chinese officials, signaling a potential thaw in EU-China relations.
The restrictions were originally introduced in April 2023 in response to a diplomatic standoff that began in 2021, when the EU and China imposed mutual sanctions over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
The guidelines, which applied to both China and Iran, stipulated that parliamentary counterparts would not be invited to visit the European Parliament and that no official missions to these countries would take place while sanctions remained in effect. Additionally, they required that bilateral meetings with officials be restricted to officeholders and reported to the parliament’s services.
However, European Parliament President Roberta Metsola recently proposed removing these measures, a decision later confirmed by an EU Parliament spokesperson. Restrictions on Russian and Belarusian officials remain in place.
Notably, China’s special envoy for European affairs, Lu Shaye, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump’s approach to European allies, calling it “appalling.” He also argued that any peace deal for Ukraine should not be dictated solely by the U.S. and Russia.
“When you look at how the Trump administration has implemented a brazen and domineering policy towards Europe, treating its allies in this way, honestly, from a European perspective, it’s quite appalling,” Lu said Wednesday.
“I believe European friends should reflect on this and compare the Trump administration’s policies with those of the Chinese government. In doing so, they will see that China’s diplomatic approach emphasizes peace, friendship, goodwill, and win-win cooperation.”
Lu made these remarks in Beijing during the annual session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), where senior diplomats gathered for discussions. He acknowledged U.S.-Russia negotiations on the Ukraine crisis but stressed that a resolution should involve all relevant parties, including European nations.
“Various proposed solutions should be subject to equal discussion, rather than being dictated by a select few,” he said.
Meanwhile, China is ramping up its diplomatic and economic outreach, particularly in the Global South. The Chinese Ministry of Finance has proposed an 8.4 percent increase in its foreign policy budget for 2025, raising it to 64.5 billion yuan (US$8.87 billion). This marks a larger increase than last year’s 6.6 percent rise. The military budget, however, will grow by 7.2 percent, the same rate as in 2023 and 2024.
Premier Li Qiang emphasized these efforts in his annual work report at the “two sessions,” China’s largest political and legislative gathering. He highlighted Beijing’s strengthened global partnerships and participation in major international summits, including the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and G20 meetings. He also pointed to the steady expansion of trade and investment under the Belt and Road Initiative.
“We consolidated and expanded partnerships across the globe, stayed committed to true multilateralism, and played a positive and constructive role in addressing global challenges and resolving regional and international hotspot issues,” Li said.
