Parliamentary opposition to and involvement in China policy has become increasingly pronounced across Europe, both from government backbenchers and opposition parties.

In the UK, it played a large role in pushing the government to change its policy towards participation of Chinese firms in the rollout of the country’s 5G network, while the European Parliament will be crucial to the approval of the investment agreement that the EU concluded with China late last year.

Despite these similarities, there are also increasing divergences visible between UK and EU China policies, with the former taking a seemingly stronger stance on issues such as human rights and Hong Kong.

Is there a significant disconnect between policymakers and parliaments’ views of the best way forward on China policy?
What is the space for cooperation between the EU and the UK on China?
Will parliamentary pressure to tackle human rights violations in China spill over into other policy areas, such as trade and investment?

Participants

• Stephen Kinnock MP, Shadow Minister, Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
• Reinhard Bütikofer MEP, Chair of the European Parliament Delegation for Relations with China
• Chair: Pepijn Bergsen, Research Fellow, Europe Programme, Chatham House.

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