China plans to restore EU relations by lifting sanctions on members of the European Parliament

China intends to restore relations with the European Parliament by lifting sanctions on four EU parliamentarians.

In what could be a thaw in the tense relations between Beijing and the EU, China has decided to remove sanctions on four current members of the European Parliament. On condition of anonymity, a parliament official said that the action also involves lifting the sanctions against the Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights.

The development is anticipated to be formally announced by Roberta Metsola, president of the European Parliament, on Wednesday.

Beijing retaliated with the penalties, which were first put in place in 2021, against concerted Western actions targeted at Chinese officials who were alleged to have violated human rights against the Uyghur Muslim community in Xinjiang. The European Parliament responded by blocking the ratification of the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI), which aims to provide European businesses more equitable access to the Chinese market.

Beijing’s decision to remove the sanctions seems to be a part of a larger diplomatic attempt to improve political and economic relations with Europe, particularly in light of growing tensions and tariff barriers with the US.

At a press conference, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun responded to allegations of the policy change by saying: “China and Europe’s economic and trade cooperation is complementary and mutually beneficial.” Legislative bodies are crucial to China-EU relations, he continued, adding that both parties should “meet each other halfway and strengthen exchanges.”

With the words, “Members of the European Parliament are welcome to visit China more often,” Guo also invited European parliamentarians to join him.

The sanctions’ removal might suggest a cautious diplomatic reset by opening the door for new communication between the two countries and even reviving talks on the delayed investment pact.