EU: We are worried about the Uyghurs

At an EU summit meeting on China-related issues, EU leaders stressed their concerns about the situation in Tibet and East Turkistan, including forced labour.

The EU leaders devoted a session to relations with China on the second day of the summit meeting held in Brussels, the capital of Belgium.

Adopted a joint statement at the end of the session, the leaders decided to continue building close relations with China to overcome global challenges, and encourage the country to take more ambitious steps on issues such as climate change, biodiversity, health and epidemic preparedness, food security and humanitarian aid.

The Eu leaders stressed their concerns about East Turkistan

Noting the need to resume human rights dialogue with China, EU leaders reiterated their concern about forced labour, the treatment of human rights defenders and persons belonging to minorities, the situation in Tibet and East Turkestan, and the fulfillment of China's previous commitments regarding Hong Kong.

Seeking Commitment to reduce addiction and risk

The leaders, who agreed to try to provide equal terms for balanced and mutually beneficial trade and economic relations with China, committed to reduce dependencies and risks, including on supply chains, by moving away from the "internal separation and rotation" approach in bilateral relations.

We are against China changing the status through force

The EU leaders expressed concern over the growing tension in the Taiwan Strait, confirming their situation against the "one China" policy and any unilateral attempts to change the status quo through force or pressure.

In addition, the leaders of the European Union called on China to put pressure on Russia to stop the war in Ukraine.