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Ten Q&As Clarifying EU Sanctions and China Counter-sanctions
2021-03-28 05:22

Recently, the European Union used Xinjiang's so-called "human rights issues" as a pretext to impose sanctions on related individuals and entities in China. China immediately took countermeasures. Later, some people from the EU side unreasonably criticized China, claiming that China's sanctions are "unacceptable". Such remarks muddle up rights and wrongs. It is necessary to set straight the facts and clarify the matters.

Q1: Why did China impose sanctions on the EU?

A: It must be made clear that the EU first imposed unilateral sanctions on Chinese personnel and entities, and China only implemented counter-sanctions. The Chinese side repeatedly cautioned the EU side, but the EU side turned a deaf ear. Imposing sanctions on others and not allowing others to adopt counter sanctions is not in line with the principle of equality and justice as advocated by the EU, and it is also logically unreasonable.

Q2: Are EU sanctions unreasonable?

A: The EU side imposed unilateral sanctions on relevant individuals and entities in China under the pretext of so-called "human rights issues" in Xinjiang based on lies and false information. This grossly interfered in China's internal affairs, provoked confrontation with China, and seriously damaged China-EU relations. The current confrontation is caused by the EU side.

Q3: Why does China say that the EU side's sanctions are based on lies and false information?

A: There are too many fake news and rumor about Xinjiang in Europe. Some people who have never been to Xinjiang continue to make up the so-called "true stories" about Xinjiang. Some East Turkistan anti-China elements continue to use fake scripts to "put on shows" to deceive the European people. The real Xinjiang is definitely not what is shown by some western media using "gray filters".

Q4: Why does China's sanctioning include European parliamentarians?

A: Confucius said, "one should not impose on others what he himself does not desire". This saying is worthy of the EU side to ponder. Deputy of the Chinese National People's Congress is also among those sanctioned by EU. China does not accept "double standards".

Q5: The European side believes that sanctions on European parliamentarians are infringement upon Western democracy and freedom of speech. What does China think?

A: China's sanctions have nothing to do with freedom of speech, or parliamentary democracy. We believe that no identity or freedom or rights should constitute grounds for slandering, defaming and impairing other countries and interfering in other countries' internal affairs. Parliamentarians must also be bound by laws and basic norms of international relations.

Q6: Has China noticed that European public opinion has changed due to sanctions?

A: There is public opinion in Europe. China also has public opinion. The Chinese people's views on Europe are also changing. The EU side hopes that the Chinese side will understand European public opinion. The EU side should also understand better China's public opinion.

Q7: Will the current mutual sanctions lead to an escalation of tensions?

A: This confrontation was caused by the EU's unilateral sanctions against China. It is up to the EU side to self-reflect, call off the wrong practice of sanctions, and stop confrontation.

Q8: The UK, Canada and US accompanied the EU in imposing sanctions on China. What does China think?

A: Sanctions cannot scare China. The Chinese government is unwavering in its determination to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests. China has announced countermeasures against the UK, Canada and US. Sooner or later, countries that willfully sanction other countries will see the consequences boomerang.

Q9: Why doesn't China allow foreign parties to visit Xinjiang on the spot?

A: The door to Xinjiang is always open. We welcome any unbiased foreigners to visit Xinjiang. Over the past few years, more than 1200 diplomats, journalists and religious figures from more than 100 countries have visited Xinjiang. China has repeatedly invited the EU and its member states' diplomatic envoys in China to visit Xinjiang, but their unreasonable requests to meet with criminals sentenced in accordance with law for engaging in separatist activities have delayed the trip.

Q10: Is China worried that the China-EU Investment Agreement will be affected?

A: The China-EU Investment Agreement is not a "gift" given by one party to the other, but is mutually beneficial. In order to respond to the pandemic of the century and promote economic recovery as soon as possible after the epidemic, it is necessary for China and the EU to expand investment and cooperation. European companies are optimistic about the Chinese market. Last year, Belgian companies' investment in China increased significantly.

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