Exclusive | European Union again drops plans for measures related to China’s Hong Kong actions

A source familiar with the matter said the conclusions had been removed from the agenda of a preparatory meeting on Wednesday
A draft document seen by the Post shows a broader set of measures to be taken in response to ‘far-reaching electoral changes imposed on Hong Kong’

European Union

Finbarr Berminghamin Brussels

Published: 11:24pm, 5 May 2021

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For the second successive month, the European Union has been forced to drop plans for measures and statements related to Beijing’s tightening of control in Hong Kong, after failing to gain the endorsement of 27 member states.

A source familiar with the matter said the conclusions had been removed from the agenda of a preparatory meeting on Wednesday. They were expected to be adopted at one of two meetings of the EU’s 27 foreign ministers to be held on Thursday and next Monday.

Last month, Hungary blocked conclusions on Hong Kong in response to the ongoing roll-out of sweeping national security legislation and Beijing’s electoral reform for the city. Officials worked up a new set of conclusions for May’s events, but they met the same fate.

A draft document seen by the South China Morning Post shows a broader set of measures to be taken in response to “far-reaching electoral changes imposed on Hong Kong”, which “run counter to the commitments to greater democratic representation through universal suffrage as the ultimate aim for the selection of the chief executive” of Hong Kong.

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Twelve measures were laid out by the EU, including a “full review” of relations with Hong Kong and discussing with member states on the “implementation of their extradition treaties” with China.

Others were coordinating the EU’s positions on Hong Kong with partners at the United Nations and Group of 7, scrutinising the rule of law in the city and responding to extraterritorial application of the national security law against EU citizens.

The EU also had planned further engagement with civil society, promotion of freedom of expression, and “establishing a new platform on Hong Kong” involving businesses and civil society organisations.

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Finally, the conclusions recommended supporting the “mobility of highly-qualified or skilled workers” and to coordinate the welcoming of “Hong Kong citizens who may have been subject to oppression based on their political beliefs, within the scope of member states’ national legislations”.

In March, the council agreed to implement sanctions on four Chinese officials over alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. But Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto dismissed them as “pointless” in the days afterwards.

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The EU’s relationship with China has taken a bruising since the agreement of an investment pact in December, with the sanctions representing a new low.

The investment deal now appears to be on the rocks, with EU parliamentarians vowing to block its passage after having some of their members slapped with sanctions by Beijing.

Katalin Cseh, a Hungarian member of the European Parliament and member of the opposition Momentum Movement party, said Prime Minister Viktor Orban was “playing a double game” in trying to leverage both Brussels and Beijing to his advantage.

“He really enjoys lifting the international profile of Hungary by always being in a position where you don’t really know what his next step will be. So on many occasions, I feel like Hungary’s acting as a Trojan horse for China or other autocratic powers, such as Russia,” she said.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: Hungary again blocks EU response to city shake-up

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