in China, notably the case of Liu Xiaobo1, of 10 March 2011 on the situation and cultural heritage in Kashgar (Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, China)2, of 7 April 2011 on the case of Ai Weiwei3, of 5 July 2012 on the forced abortion scandal in China4, of 26 November 2009 on China: minority rights and application of the death penalty5, of 16 December 2010 on the Annual Report on Human Rights in the World 2009 and the European Union’s policy on the matter6, – having regard to the EU arms embargo introduced after the Tiananmen crackdown of June 1989, as supported by Parliament in its resolution of 2 February 2006 on the main aspects and basic choices of Common Foreign and Security Policy7, – having regard to its resolution of 7 July 2005 on relations between the EU, China and Taiwan and security in the Far East8, – having regard to its previous resolutions on Tibet and the human rights situation in China, in particular its resolutions of 25 November 2010 on Tibet: plans to make Chinese the main language of instruction9, of 27 October 2011 on Tibet, in particular self-immolation by nuns and monks10 and of 14 June 2012 on Tibet: the human rights situation11, – having regard to Rule 48 of its Rules of Procedure, – having regard to the report of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A7-0434/2012), A. whereas the EU-China strategic partnership is of great importance for relations between the EU and China, and whereas this relationship is paramount for finding answers to global concerns, such as global and regional security, the economic crisis, global financial and market regulation, energy security, weapons of mass destruction and nuclear non-proliferation, climate change, the economic and social development of a market economy, the promotion of democracy and human rights and the fight against organised crime, terrorism and piracy, as well as in creating a framework to address bilateral concerns between the EU and China; B. whereas a strategic partnership requires a strong commitment to mutual responsibility and a good level of confidence, and must be based on universal values; C. whereas EU-China relations have developed considerably since the signing of the EU-China cooperation agreement in 1985; whereas the Commission adopted its main political strategy on China in 2006 and, in this context, launched negotiations in January 2007 on a comprehensive partnership and cooperation agreement with a view to further improving relations between the EU and China, in particular in the field of trade and investment; 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 OJ C 305 E, 11.11.2010, p. 9. OJ C 199 E, 7.7.2012, p. 185. OJ C 296 E, 2.10.2012, p. 137. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0301. OJ C 285 E, 21.10.2010, p. 80. OJ C 169 E, 15.6.2012, p. 81. OJ C 288 E, 25.11.2006, p. 59. OJ C 157 E, 6.7.2006, p. 471. OJ C 99 E, 3.4.2012, p. 118. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2011)0474. Texts adopted, P7_TA(2012)0257.