Member of the European Parliament Daly: EU's human rights accusations are "geopolitical show"

　　Interview with Claire Daly, Member of the European Parliament: EU’s human rights accusations are "geopolitical show"

　　[Global Times reporter Li Qingqing] "China has not shown military hostility to the EU, and most Europeans regard China as an ally or necessary partner." This is an Irish member of the European Parliament Claire Daley on Twitter some time ago In her remarks, she questioned the "China Threat Theory."

Why does Daley say that?

What is her view of the current complicated Sino-European relations?

　　In an interview with a reporter from the Global Times, Daly said that the above remarks were her views when discussing "China's growing military expenditures" at the European Parliament’s Security and Defense Committee.

The topic of "Chinese military threat" is being discussed more and more in the European Parliament, which reflects that the European Union is following the US's arguments, but at the same time, this is also the hope of the European arms industry lobbyists who have great influence in Brussels. See the scene.

　　"But I think the important thing is the following facts," Daly enumerated, "According to data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, China's military expenditure in 2020 is US$252 billion, which is US$21 billion lower than Western European countries. China’s population is 14. The population of Western European countries is 197 million. This means that the per capita military expenditure in Western Europe is nearly 1,400 U.S. dollars, while China’s is only 180 U.S. dollars. It is worth noting that the per capita military expenditure in the United States is about 2,300 U.S. dollars. These facts help people. Correctly understand China's military construction."

　　Regarding the European Parliament’s freezing of discussions on the approval of the China-EU Investment Agreement in May, Daly told the Global Times reporter that he was opposed, "I do not believe that the European Parliament made this decision based on the interests of the European people."

In her view, this move by the European Parliament shows that opposing rhetoric and sentiments and tit-for-tat sanctions will trigger offensive momentum, which is not in the interests of any party.

　　Daly believes that the China-EU Investment Agreement will continue to advance because all EU member states and the European Commission understand that continuing to do business with China is in their own economic interests.

And if you blindly listen to the "running rhetoric" of the United States, then the EU will become more and more dependent on this big country. "When the influence of the Americans is weakening, their words contain dangerous factors." It is most in line with the EU's independence to take the road of independence. interest.

　　In recent months, the EU has followed the steps of the United States and criticized China on human rights issues.

"Human rights are now being weaponized in an unprecedented way," Daley told the Global Times reporter. "I have repeatedly criticized the EU's ongoing discussions on human rights issues abroad, and the EU is always targeting those who are not.' The United States’ favorite countries on the list reveals that its so-called human rights concerns are just a geopolitical show."

　　Daly emphasized that the EU’s behavior of “defending human rights” abroad is not only one-sided, but also in sharp contrast to its attitude towards human rights violations by its member states, such as French police violence and France’s discriminatory legislation against Muslims. Keep silent!"

　　"I have clearly expressed my concern about the growing anti-China and anti-Russian sentiments, which have been exaggerated on every occasion in the European Parliament." Daly said, although her position is a minority in the European Parliament. But this is normal, because “the European Parliament is very out of touch with the European people” and “mankind needs to work hard to deal with climate change and other issues. The European people don’t want to waste precious resources on wars and military confrontations. We need global cooperation, not confrontation".