China lifts sanctions against MEPs

Brussels – U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies strengthen relations among other global trade parties. Today (April 30), European Parliament President Roberta Metsola informed the Conference of Presidents of the Chinese authorities’ decision to lift sanctions against all MEPs (and their families) and the European Parliament’s committees.

“It is my responsibility as president to ensure that every member of this chamber can exercise their mandate freely, without restriction,” Metsola said in a note. “Our parliamentary committees must be able to discuss European interests with their Chinese counterparts without fear of repercussions. Our relations with China,” she added, “remain complex and multifaceted. The best way to address them is through engagement and dialogue.”

The sanctions, imposed by China in March 2021, had affected five members of the European Parliament and the Subcommittee on Human Rights.

The Conference of Presidents reiterated that the lifting of sanctions does not mean that the European Parliament will ignore persistent challenges in EU-China relations. Thus, the Parliament will continue “to strongly defend universal human rights and fundamental values around the world,” while seeking to engage with global partners in a clear and principled manner.

On March 22, 2021, China had imposed sanctions on ten EU nationals and four entities, including five MEPs all of whom were in office at the time —Reinhard Butikofer (Greens), Michael Gahler (EPP), Raphaël Glucksmann (S&D), Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Renew), and Miriam Lexmann (EPP)— and the European Parliament’s Subcommittee on Human Rights. The sanctions, which banned the persons concerned from entering Chinese territory, prompted the European Parliament to suspend all official dialogues with China.

In September 2024, China began trying to reestablish communication. Several meetings at various levels have been held since fall 2024, culminating in China’s decision to lift sanctions.