Von der Leyen warns EU about Beijing’s ‘divide and rule’ strategy

The President of the European Commission on Tuesday criticized China’s “military stance” and “economic coercion policy” and warned member states about Beijing’s “divide and rule” strategy.

“China has increased its military power and also expanded its policy of economic coercion, as we have already seen, from Lithuania to Australia,” Ursula von der Leyen said at the beginning of the session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg. (France).

The President of the European Commission based the accusations on the military exercises that Beijing has been conducting in recent weeks, namely near the border with India and in the Taiwan Strait: “The European Union’s One China policy is a long-standing one. peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and strongly oppose any unilateral change in the status quo, in particular through the use of force.”

Beijing’s actions demonstrate that the country has “turned the page of an era of reform and opening up and moved into an era of security and control,” von der Leyen added.

“It must be acknowledged – and said so – that the actions of the Chinese Communist Party are accompanied by long-explained ambitions to toughen the country’s strategic position,” the President of the European Commission concluded before the MEPs.

Von der Leyen’s only topic of speech was China and what, in his opinion, the relations of 27 countries as a whole with Beijing can and should be.

As he explained to MEPs, von der Leyen conveyed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that there are opportunities to pursue closer relations with China, but there are also irresistible red lines, such as “denouncing human rights violations in Xinjiang” or the need for transparency in regarding the subsidies it provides to Chinese companies and respect for intellectual property.

For years, the People’s Republic of China has been accused by various non-governmental organizations of human rights violations and even genocide against the predominantly Muslim Uighur population. There are reports of detentions in concentration camps and disrespect for fundamental rights in a region where some 12 million people are believed to be from this ethnic minority.

Ursula von der Leyen also called for member states to unite against and for “strong coordination between European institutions” to “survive the divide and rule strategy pursued by the People’s Republic of China: “The time has come for the European Union to show what it is unity makes us stronger.”

To do this, the 27 countries must “look at economic resilience,” namely by diversifying and strengthening other supply chains, examining the vulnerabilities of the European economy, and strengthening “key areas of energy, health and pharmaceuticals, food security and defense.” possibilities”.