EU expresses ‘grave concern’ over Hong Kong security law, but rules out further action against China
- Bloc’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell says decision ‘calls into question’ the mutual respect and trust between Beijing and Brussels
- Borrell says sanctions are not the way to proceed after meeting of European foreign minister
The European Union has ruled out further action over China’s plans to impose a national security law on Hong Kong, saying it wanted to focus on dialogue with Beijing.
Speaking a day after the National People’s Congress voted in favour of the measure, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said: “The autonomy of Hong Kong has been really weakened by this decision. It jeopardised the autonomy of Hong Kong.”
“We want to stress our relationship with China is based on mutual respect and trust, but this decision [by the NPC] calls this into question.”
The bloc’s foreign ministers expressed “grave concern” about the measure on Friday and discussed the need to revisit EU-China relations at a three-hour meeting on Friday. They also said discussions with Beijing about an investment agreement would continue.
Asked about what the EU would do, Borrell told a press conference: “We will continue discussing, we will continue reaching out to Beijing.
“Our reaction has to be commensurate with the steps that have already been taken.