MEP attacks EU's approach to China

A senior MEP has launched a withering attack on the EU’s dealings with China.

Graham Watson, leader of the ALDE group in parliament, has severely criticised the EU’s stance on the arms embargo and the thorny Taiwan issue.

Watson, a UK MEP, said, “The EU supports and shares Taiwan's democratic values. Whether or not to hold a referendum on the issue of UN membership in the name of Taiwan is entirely up to the Taiwanese to decide.

"I find the destabilisation rhetoric completely unfounded as it is not Taiwan that is a threat to the peace and security of the region.

 “Opposing Taiwan's right to apply for UN membership under any name it chooses simply makes the EU look weak and indecisive in its dealings with the Chinese.

“Likewise, lifting the Chinese arms embargo without demanding reciprocity on human rights concerns makes a mockery of our proclaimed mission to promoting Europe's values in the world".

It follows comments made by EU security supremo Javier Solana during the recent EU-China summit in Beijing.

Solana confirmed the EU’s willingness to move forward toward the lifting of the arms embargo against China.

“I realise the importance of the issue, for us both,” he said.

He was also critical of Taiwan’s plans to hold a referendum in March on its application for membership of the United Nations.

He said neither side should do anything which would inflame tensions and jeopardise regional stability.

“For that reason , we consider this initiative (the referendum) as not helpful,” he said.

His comments were reiterated by Eneko Landaburu, the European commission's Spanish director general for external affairs.

Speaking in Brussels on 7 December, Landaburu, who also took part in the summit, said a referendum was “not in the best interests” of fostering better relations between China and Taiwan.

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