China sanctions resolution quote from Reinhard Bütikofer

Members of the European Parliament will vote today on a resolution on the Chinese leadership's sanctions. In the resolution, MEPs make the lifting of Chinese sanctions a condition for referral of the negotiated investment agreement to the European Parliament. The results of the vote are expected to be announced at around 16:30. A large majority is expected.  

Reinhard Bütikofer, Chair of the European Parliament's China Delegation, comments:

“In reacting to China´s sanctions against the European Parliament, the Parliament does take a clear stance. The European Parliament will not budge. We are strongly united in defending our interests and values. Chinese efforts to police worldwide what conversation about China Beijing would want to allow are as ridiculous as they are arrogant, and they will fail. With its sanctions, China has miscalculated. They should learn from their mistakes and rethink. Because of China´s sanctions, the Comprehensive Agreement on Investment has been put into the freezer, and the Parliament demands that China lift its sanctions before it will deal with CAI. Parliament also expects the Commission to consult with us before taking any steps towards formally signing CAI."