Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 June 2023
147. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the evolution in EU or Irish policy towards China in the wake of the Ukraine war, and the heightened rivalry between the USA and China; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28956/23]
View answerIreland is fully committed to the core principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. As a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, China has a clear responsibility to defend and promote the Charter and the rules based international order, including in relation to the use of force and territorial integrity.
I met with Wang Yi at the Munich Security Council in February and I echoed calls for China to work to end Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. The Minister for Environment, Climate, and Communications, Eamon Ryan, used the opportunity of his engagements in China in March, including with his ministerial counterpart, to raise our position on the war in Ukraine. Minister McConalogue also raised the war in Ukraine during his visit in May.
EU partners have been clear with China that its position on the war in Ukraine is an important factor in EU-China relations. The EU has communicated to China that any military equipment support to Russia’s war effort would be unacceptable and that any initiative to end the war must be acceptable to Ukraine and ensure the full withdrawal of Russian troops from Ukrainian territory.
In line with the 2019 Strategic Outlook on China, the EU continues to engage with China simultaneously as a partner for cooperation and negotiation, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival. President von der Leyen has also spoken about the concept of ‘de-risking but not de-coupling’ with China, an idea increasingly embedded in EU discourse.
The Government has been clear that de-risking in our relationship with China is not decoupling. There are many mutually beneficial ties that we can grow. We will continue to support our businesses that are engaged with China, and to work with the Chinese companies established in Ireland to create jobs and build prosperity.
In our engagements with China, we will continue to underline the responsibility of all Member States to uphold the UN Charter and the broader UN framework. We will continue to prioritise the preservation and promotion of human rights and to raise points of concern directly with the Chinese authorities. The Government will also be clear that the maintenance of stability and the status quo in relation to Taiwan is critical and that any attempt to change the status quo by force would not be acceptable. This does not undermine the Government's continued adherence to the One China Policy.
The Government remains committed to engagement with China and to working constructively together on climate change, sustainable development, human rights, and an open global trading and investment system.
