Open letter from MPs: G7 must take joint action against China

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Dear President Biden, Dear Chancellor Merkel, Dear Prime Minister Suga, President Macron, Prime Minister Johnson, Prime Minister Conte, Prime Minister Trudeau.

Our countries are united by the belief in democratic principles on which our societies are based and which we are constantly working to implement.

The democratic basis of our politics and our self-image as part of the free world distinguishes the G7 from other international forums and shapes the decision-making of our heads of state and government.

As MEPs from all G7 countries, we are aware of the special importance of the next summit in Cornwall in June, as international cooperation is becoming increasingly important.

Because the behavior of the People's Republic of China (PRC) is affecting global politics and our societies like never before, the G7 must stand up for the democratic principles we share and believe in.

As representatives of the interests of our electorate, we urge our heads of state and government to agree on a common approach to the internal and external behavior of the PRC, which we believe contradicts international standards.

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We continue to want constructive relations with the People's Republic of China based on reciprocity, transparency and accountability.

With this in mind, we turn to our heads of state and government to identify the problems we see in this process and to ask them to take a realistic stance in dealing with the PRC.

Our central goal should be clear: to act together as a G7 alliance to deliver on our commitment to maintaining international order while ensuring that countries like China abide by the rules they've agreed to.

Such an approach will help us to better cope with the numerous global challenges of our time.

We consider the behavior of the People's Republic of China to be particularly problematic in five areas and therefore demand coordinated action.

China delayed response to Covid

A PRC that meets its international obligations and acts responsibly and transparently would benefit the world.

But by filling critical positions and using dependencies to its own advantage, the PRC has compromised the shaping of international politics within the framework of the common institutions.

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The consequences of such behavior can be severe, as recently seen in the World Health Organization (WHO).

The WHO's international response to Covid-19 has been severely undermined by the PRC's interference and rule violation.

With regard to other institutions - most notably the World Trade Organization, which the PRC joined almost two decades ago - we are still waiting for them to honor their commitments.

As important forums for the implementation of our collective concerns, international institutions must work transparently and accountably.

The G7 must work together to ensure that these institutions can again pursue their original goals and fulfill their purpose.

Technological standards

The platform technologies of quantum computing, artificial intelligence and the 5G expansion will radically change our global economy in the coming decades.

The inherent power of these technologies cannot be overestimated.

While they have the potential to improve the lives of citizens worldwide, they must be developed around core principles that protect user data.

The PRC has taken the lead in developing some of these future industries, sometimes to the detriment of other nations on the basis of unfair or even illegal practices.

The free world must prevent dependence on a country that rejects market principles and democratic values.

A coordinated partnership between our countries to advance the development of these technologies and to set global norms and standards for their use is therefore essential.

This is the only way we can fully exploit the potential of these technologies without jeopardizing our security and interests.

Human rights

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The disregard for human rights by the People's Republic of China is in stark contrast to the universal standards of the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which we consider inviolable.

We should be deeply concerned about the internment of ethnic Uyghurs and reports of forced indoctrination, torture, food deprivation and denial of religious freedoms, which are clear violations of China's international human rights obligations.

China's outrageous human rights violations require a joint response from the G7 countries to hold the People's Republic accountable for its treatment of ethnic and religious minorities.

Tensions in the Indo-Pacific region

While the Covid-19 pandemic is rightly claiming much of the attention of governments around the world, the PRC is continuing to escalate tensions in the region.

This is shown by their recent actions against Hong Kong, the border conflicts with India and the ongoing aggression in the South China Sea.

We call on the G7 heads of state and government to hold the PRC and their leaders accountable for the blatant violation of an international treaty through the introduction of the draconian national security law in Hong Kong.

The expansionism of the PRC in the region, and increasingly throughout the world, must have consequences.

Similar aggression in relation to Taiwan and disputed areas in the Himalayas and the South China Sea must be stopped.

It is in our best interest to ensure that free navigation in these important waters is maintained.

Cooperation on Covid-19

It is up to the PRC to decide whether Covid-19 will become an example of international cooperation or conflict.

We would like to work together because we can best overcome the pandemic through transparent and coordinated efforts.

However, this requires openness and the exchange of information.

Evidence suggests that during the early stages of the pandemic, the PRC withheld vital information and undermined the WHO.

In doing so, she has denied the rest of the world crucial time to respond to the virus.

In order to be prepared for and prevent future outbreaks, we believe an independent investigation into the origin and spread of the virus is necessary.

But Covid-19 is far from over.

We should learn from initial mistakes and fully commit to pooling our efforts to slow the spread of the virus and organize access to the vaccine and its distribution.

While our countries may not agree on all of the solutions to the global challenges we face, we believe it is vital that our governments work in partnership and thoughtful ways to address the issues set out in this letter.

Source: United States Congress / Franmarie Metzler, Steffen Roth

Signatories:

Anthony Gonzalez (Republican MP in the US House of Representatives) and Norbert Röttgen (MP-CDU) as well as another 67 MPs from the USA, Canada, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Japan.