Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-12-17-Speech-3-044"

Predicate	Value (sorted: default)
rdf:type	lpv_eu:Speech2
dcterms:Date	"2003-12-17"^^xsd:date2
dcterms:Is Part Of	lp_eu:Removal of the EU embargo on arms sales to China2
dcterms:Language	"nl"^^xsd:language2
lpv:document identification number	"en.20031217.3.3-044"2
lpv:hasSubsequent	lp_eu:2003-12-17-Speech-3-0452
lpv:speaker	lp:Margrietus van den Berg2
lpv:spokenAs	vice-chair; PES (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 unknown; Partij van de Arbeid (1999-07-20--2004-07-19)3 vice-chair; Committee on Development and Cooperation (2002-01-22--2004-07-19)3 member; Members from the European Parliament to the Joint Parliamentary Assembly of the Agreement between the African, Caribbean and Pacific States and the European Union (ACP-EU) (2002-02-06--2004-07-19)3 substitute; AFCO (2002-01-17--2004-07-19)3 member; Delegation for relations with the countries of Central America and Mexico (2002-02-07--2004-07-19)3
lpv:translated text	"Mr President, my group opposes lifting the arms embargo, and thus we support the general line of not lifting the arms embargo on China now. I should like to add a couple of things, however. Everyone who has had the opportunity to visit China on several occasions over the past ten years – as I myself have done – will know that a tremendous economic dynamic is discernible there, with substantial regional differences, and with what could almost be described as rigid capitalism at internal level, which gives rise to numerous major social problems. A society developing in this way also needs a political system capable of handling this. There is clearly an enormous tension between that economic freedom on the one hand, which leaves insufficient room for shaping at the social level by the social players such as the trade unions and others; and the political level on the other, which leaves no room for political democracy. We are, of course, all watching that whole process with bated breath. China is no small player. It is large and powerful both in economic terms and in terms of population size. When trying to look at that region from a geopolitical point of view, therefore, do not just look at it in relation to Taiwan. Naturally, that is one point, but much broader factors affect that region. China naturally wants to become a global player, little by little. It is trying to launch a charm offensive: after all, it knows fine well that a great many people are intimidated by its enormous economic power, and it is trying, as it were, to be a positive player at global level. In order to do so, it must effectively make more room for democracy and respect for human rights in its own country. It is not yet managing to control that tension very well, and some do not even want to control it or are themselves engaging in something that we do not think possible, which is having freedom on the one hand and a lack of political freedom on the other. Nevertheless, we, Europe, have an enormous amount to gain from helping China take on this new role. Therefore, all fellow Members are rightly saying ‘no lifting of the arms embargo’: that gives out the wrong signal. At the same time, however, ladies and gentlemen, let us put it in a wider perspective and make clear that we genuinely desire that in-depth dialogue with China – that goes for the Council, too – and that we also want to help with that process. It is fundamental that China assume a role in the world and that that role is compatible with the international legal order."@en1

Named graphs describing this resource:

The resource appears as object in 2 triples

Context graph