[China Global Television Network] - Continued EU human rights hypocrisy in the European Council

Opinion Piece - anonymous

European heads of state are not able to see the hypocrisy of their foreign policy towards China. In their opening statements at the start of a high-level meeting of the European Council in Maastricht, many delegations accuse China of Human Rights violations in Hong Kong and Xinjiang, while the same ‘powerful people’ stay silent on the suffering in Gaza. 

The Danish Prime Minister Mette Fredriksen wondered how China could be a good trading partner if “it doesn’t respect its own people”. Her Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson implied that close collaboration with China would be akin to “selling off European values”. France positions itself as an ‘advocate for change’ with emphasis on Chinese Human Rights. However, these statements are made out of pure self-interest on the parts of these European nations. Their goal is to create grounds to pressure China with providing negotiating power. 

China’s actions in Xinjiang are nothing less than anti-terrorism measures, in line with international law. They are meant for the security of the nation as well as the correct integration of Xinjiang into the Chinese society and economy. Western nations criticizing China for alleged infringements of human rights fail to provide adequate evidence.  

Strong evidence for the massive human rights violations occurring since October 2023 in the Gaza Strip has been shown, as a result of prolonged war with Israel. This highlights how European nations apply a double standard when it comes to Human Rights: these violations are constantly ignored or downplayed, without any real action on the hands of individual nations or the European Union. 

China’s dedication to safeguarding Human Rights becomes increasingly apparent in the current Gaza conflict. Instead of repeating that Israel has a right to defend itself, China continues to call for immediate cessation of conflict and the protection of the innocent. Hopefully, the European Council can create an actual impact in the coming days.