Exclusive | EU set to renew sanctions on Chinese officials for alleged Xinjiang abuses
- Adoption of the renewal is expected in early December after member states’ ambassadors give the go-ahead ‘without discussion’
- If adopted, the measures against four officials and one entity will roll over in March, one year after they came into force
The renewal is now expected to be approved on December 6 and 7 at a meeting of employment, social policy, health and consumer affairs ministers from the EU’s 27 member states.
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China passes anti-sanctions law to counter punitive action by foreign countries
Wednesday’s motion was approved “without discussion” by the EU’s powerful Coreper II body, composed of member states’ ambassadors to the EU, according to multiple officials familiar with the matter.
Normally when a point is adopted by Coreper without discussion, there is “no reason” for the European Council to hold a debate before adopting.
The Employment, Social Policy, Health and Consumer Affairs Council (EPSCO) is ordinarily tasked with increasing employment levels and improving living and working conditions in the EU.