Debate during the plenary session of July in Strasbourg on the New EU strategy on China. Statements by Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC,&nbsp;&nbsp;Frank ENGEL (EPP, LU), Victor BOŞTINARU (S&amp;D, RO),&nbsp; Bas BELDER (ECR, NL) and&nbsp;Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL)

Strasbourg

debate

plenary session

EU - China (T)

MOGHERINI, Federica (IT, EC)

BOŞTINARU, Victor (S&D, RO)

ENGEL, Frank (EPP, LU)

SCHAAKE, Marietje (ALDE, NL)

BELDER, Bas (ECR, NL)

New EU strategy on China: extracts from the debate

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, Asia security environment today looks more instable than a few years ago, but China has also sought stronger cooperation with other world powers, including with the EU on different global issues. We have an interest in an open, stable and cooperative China, but China too has a huge interest in good relations with Europe. We are their biggest trading partner, and we are an important security provider in Asia from Afghanistan to the Philippines.

SOUNDBITE (English), Federica MOGHERINI, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the EC, As we focus on the opportunities it doesn't mean that we do not see the risks of this new phase. We all know very well that we are heading towards a delicate moment in our trade relations. China is becoming a more integrated member of the global community, and this means it has to accept the obligations and not simply the benefits of it. In the mean time we must also make sure that we act to shield our industry from unfair trade practices. China must make significant and verifiable cuts in industrial over capacity, notably in the steel sector, and also on aluminium, ceramics and wood based product.

SOUNDBITE (French), Frank ENGEL (EPP, LU), The evidence of a trade war will benefit everybody, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be robust in our approach with our Chinese interlocutors, on all the subjects close to our hard: Taiwan, the NGO's legislations, on the rule of law, or the Southern China sea. Plus I would like to see more Africa in this strategy, because this is one of the rare areas where I genuinely believe we actually can have a win-win situation on African development, and this, as far as we are concerned could be of vital importance.

SOUNDBITE (English), Victor BO&#350;TINARU (S&amp;D, RO), Mrs High Representative, you have shown the awareness on what EU and China can do together bilaterally but also on the international fora. I think of G 20, which will be soon hosted by China, but also on counter-terrorism, cyber security, climate change, and other reciprocal investments into the Juncker's plan, and one belt - one road, where will be necessary to address also the issue of protecting key infrastructure projects as the critical infrastructure projects including energy ones.

SOUNDBITE (Dutch), Bas BELDER (ECR, NL), Concerning the regime, let's not forget that there are national socialist strategies, and that is a toxic, explosive nicks that you can see on the people of the Republic of China, and I think that you've got to say: there are the lines, and I can trust High representative to implement that.

SOUNDBITE (English), Marietje SCHAAKE (ALDE, NL), Mass censorship, and also monitoring the internet users, and hacking into their systems are ongoing and unacceptable. We must connect the dots. Where people are hindered for surfing on line, an open internet and EU business are effectively band. Human rights violations and protectionism can be one and the same, and a treaty of between the two therefore is a raise to the bottom.