A study on the European Union's arms embargo on China
Date Issued
2007
Date
2007
Author(s)
Hehenberger, Martin
DOI
en-US
Abstract
Following the massacre of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army on the Tiananmen Square in June 4, 1989, several countries and inter-governmental organizations implemented sanctions on the People’s Republic of China to condemn China’s behavior, among those was also the European Community. It is one sentence in a one-page political declaration from 1989 that is today referred to as the European Union’s arms embargo on China. Contrary to common belief, this so called embargo is neither legally binding under the supra-national framework of the European Union, nor is it accompanied by any of the measures or institutions needed to make an embargo successful. It therefore does not limit the sales of European arms to China. Although seemingly paradoxical, the plan to lift the embargo became a major international political issue in the period from late 2003 until early 2005.
One of the main findings of this thesis, that the arms embargo itself is not efficient, was based on data related to the export of European arms to China, showing that those arms sales have continuously increased since its implementation. Furthermore, it was shown that the arms embargo on China is, politically and legally, overruled by the EU’s current arms export control regime, including the Code of Conduct. That the European Union never had the will to
actually enforce this embargo was demonstrated by analyzing the EU’s political and legal integration, and the development of a sophisticated sanction system, while in contrast showing that the arms embargo on China has, since 1989, never been changed in its wording or given legal basis. The reasons for this can be found in the increasing economic interdependence between China and the EU, and the aim to develop a mutually beneficial strategic partnership.
The plan to lift the embargo was meant to signal the willingness of the EU to treat China as an equal partner, and not to deal with it through measures like sanctions. However, this message was interpreted differently by a large part of the international community, many countries stating concerns about China’s human rights record, its military buildup, and the increasing threat towards Taiwan. The issue of lifting the embargo suddenly received major international attention, increasing the political weight of the embargo itself and thereby also the pressure on the European Union. Mainly due to US intervention and China’s adoption of the Anti-Secession Law against Taiwan, the lifting of the embargo was postponed indefinitely.
Subjects
武器禁運
歐盟外交政策
international sanctions
arms embargo
EU-China relations
EU foreign policy
international security
Type
thesis
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