MEPs are seeking to persuade China to adopt Western values of democracy based on the rule of law, with respect for human rights. This was the substance of a resolution adopted by Parliament, setting out a strategy for forging closer links with China.
As Edward McMillan-Scott (UK, EPP) put it: "We are conscious that China remains a one-party state - in some ways a tyrannous regime and has been justly criticised for its human rights problems." But he emphasised that Parliament, through the Foreign Affairs Committee, was aiming to establish political dialogue with Chinese leaders. Evidence of this can be seen in support for the village democracy programmes. Most of China's 900,000 villages are now governed by leaders, who are not members of the communist party, elected through universal suffrage and secret ballots.
In addition, China's People's Congress now contains numerous deputies who are not party members. The challenge now is for the EU to help support democratisation in larger towns and conurbations. But China faces serious environmental problems. Only about 20 per cent of industrial waste and 15 per cent of sewage flowing into China's rivers is treated. The shortage of fresh water is becoming critical.
There is heavy reliance on coal, with consequent emissions of carbon and sulphur. The Chinese government has made some efforts since the early 1980s to reduce environmental damage. Given the prospect of rapid industrialisation, a tripling of power generation and a doubling of car ownership by the end of this century, the environmental impact will be severe. The EU's expertise in environmental technologies can help China to avert environmental mistakes already made in the West.
MEPs are also keen to push for closer trade links and for European expertise to be available to help economic reforms and create a genuine internal market. But Parliament remained firm in its opposition to China's uncompromising attitude towards Taiwan, its domination of Tibet and any threat to the future of Hong Kong.
Western leaders are contemplating a boycott of the ceremony to return Hong Kong to the China. MEPs condemned the lack of legitimacy of the new legislative council and looked to the Chinese Authorities to honour commitments given to the international community over Hong Kong's civil and political rights.
Commissioner Sir Leon Brittan welcomed the strategy recommended by MEPs. He did not believe there was a conflict of objectives in seeking to promote free trade and human rights at the same time. The best prospect for improving human rights was to encourage China's economic development and to support its inclusion in international bodies, such as the World Trade Organisation.
The Commission recognised, however, that the EU's failure to take a common stance over human rights marked a serious weakness in foreign policy-making. Parliament's resolution calls on member states to show solidarity with Denmark, Ireland and the Netherlands, threatened with sanctions by the Chinese authorities following their outspoken criticism of China's human rights record.