China has been violated by the adoption of the “security law” for Hong Kong, an international agreement (with the UK). For this reason alone, everything connected with Hong Kong is not an exclusively “internal affair” of China, even though Beijing claims the. And the European Union is of course allowed to respond to the breaking of a contract.
Not even now with this kind of hotel outrage-reacting Chinese government can claim that the EU decisions are against the measures particularly painful. But that’s why it’s no longer Beijing a long time ago. Contradiction, how moderate he may be, will not be condoned in Xi Jinpings world.
The export bans for surveillance technology and other small measures are probably all what the EU should be able to some. Now, the member States should try, at least, the really put it into practice. You can keep the steps the EU, with good arguments for weak.
But first, little is still better than nothing. And secondly, it is sometimes important to show powers such as China more or less symbolic measures that you agree with what is being done there. Perhaps there are even in China a politician who is not in unconditional confrontation with the Rest of the world see the only meaningful way for their country.
