EU: "China's interference in democracy in Europe worse than Russia's"

Special Committee on Foreign Interference and Misinformation in Parliament
Demands Establishment of China Operation Monitoring Task Force

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (right) met on the 4th in Taipei with Rafael Glucksmann, a member of the French National Assembly (left), who leads the EU Parliament's Special Committee on Foreign Interference and Disinformation.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] As tensions deepen between Europe and China, members of the European Union (EU) Parliament have expressed concerns that China’s level of interference in democracy within Europe is increasing.

According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post (SCMP), the EU Parliament’s Special Committee on Foreign Interference and Disinformation on the 9th (local time) demanded the establishment of a special task force (TF) to monitor China’s disruptive activities, stating that "the EU must respond more strongly to the perceived threats."

The special committee, which officially visited Taiwan on the 3rd as the first EU parliamentary delegation, voiced these concerns within a week. They declared support for the camp of liberal democracy and checked China’s pressure on Taiwan, which is based on the ‘One China’ principle.

In a 33-page report released that day, the special committee mentioned over 40 issues related to China’s interference in democracy within Europe. SCMP explained that "this is more than twice the level of interference compared to Russia, which has long been involved in foreign interference and disinformation in Europe."

Sandra Kalniete, former Latvian Foreign Minister and a key author of the report, pointed out, "Europe has failed to catch up with a technologically sophisticated adversary (China)," adding, "It’s like racing a rocket ship while driving a race car."

Confucius Institutes located in major European universities are at the center of these concerns. The special committee claimed, "There is strict control over almost every subject related to research and education concerning China." Confucius Institutes, supported by Chinese authorities, aim to promote Chinese language and culture but have been criticized for serving as propaganda tools for the Communist Party.

The special committee also pointed out the extraterritorial application of the Hong Kong National Security Law. When former Hong Kong legislator Ted Hui fled to the UK via Denmark in December last year, Chinese authorities requested Interpol to cooperate with Danish police in investigating two Danish parliamentarians who helped Hui escape.

The members also highlighted the active role of former French Prime Minister Pierre Raffarin, known as a ‘China expert,’ in promoting Chinese interests within France. They mentioned China’s interference that caused the postponement of an exhibition on Mongol Emperor Genghis Khan at the Brittany History Museum in Nantes, France, for several years.

A Chinese official told SCMP, "China opposes any form of interference in the internal affairs of other countries," adding, "However, some countries hope to exert influence to inform others of their values and change their systems."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.