cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/12264305
[Original in Czech. This is an automated paraphrased translation.]
Czech MEP Markéta Gregorová (Greens/EFA) was a member of a 12-member mission of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) to China last week.
Right after she arrived at the airport in Beijing, Gregorová said the police stopped her and took her away. She was banned from using her phone, so she couldn’t contact anyone. Neither her diplomatic passport nor her invitation letter helped. After about an hour, the phone was released again, but she was then taken to a room where she spent another half hour.
The MEP stated that it wanted to ask for an explanation from the Chinese party and plans to discuss the incident with EP President Roberta Metsola.
Gregorová, a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party, believes that the detention may have been related to the case of a Chinese citizen accused of espionage in the Czech Republic who was tried at the time of her arrest. According to Gregorová, no one else from the airport delegation had any problems.
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China wants European technology in exchange for higher imports
During the trade talks, the Chinese Communist Party said that there could be an increase in imports of certain European goods into China. “They mentioned, for example, the high-level medical facilities we have,” said Gregorová. Although China has made progress in some top technologies, for example in the production of prosthetic limbs, it still needs standard medical facilities.
The Chinese representative was interested in importing European lithographic equipment. It is a unique device that creates forms to produce the smallest chips, which no one else in the world can do but the Dutch, said the MEP, adding that Europe should not pass on this to China. The Dutch company ASML currently dominates this sector.
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