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Brussels was due to make the comments at the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva last week.

But it failed to win the necessary agreement of all 28 member states, after a Greek foreign ministry official refused to agree.

They said the comments were unconstructive and claimed separate talks with the eastern superpower outside of the UN would be more productive.

REUTERS

A statement from the ministry said: Greeces position is that unproductive and in many cases, selective criticism against specific countries does not facilitate the promotion of human rights in these states, nor the development of their relation with the EU.

It marks the first time the EU failed to make a statement at the UNs top rights body, according to Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch.

And it also highlights the Brussels blocs uneasy links with China.

GETTY

Greeces position is that unproductive and in many cases, selective criticism against specific countries does not facilitate the promotion of human rights in these states

Greek foreign ministry

The union has welcomed Beijing as an ally in the fight against trade protectionism and climber change.

But as its business has grown, with China now being the EUs second largest trade partner, the bloc has also struggled to criticise the Chinese government.

Hu Jia, a Chinese dissident who was jailed for subversion of state power, claimed the international community is more and more afraid of criticising the Chinese Communist Party because of the need for cooperation in areas like the economy, climate change, security and terrorism.

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Police investigators inspect a Mercedes car of former Greek Prime Minister Lucas Papademos, after an explosion inside the car caused by a bomb attack in central Athens, Greece, 25 May 2017

Hu added people feel disappointed when Western leaders give in to Chinese pressure and reduce mentions or even remain silent about human rights abuses during meetings with officials.

Sophie Richardson, the China director at Human Rights Watch, added: Its not just Western countries, its Eastern countries and international institutions as well.

China has got much more aggressive.

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