Listen to the article
Taiwan’s Deputy Leader Urges EU to Strengthen Ties Amid Growing China Tensions
Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao made a rare appearance in Brussels on Friday, calling on the European Union to bolster security and economic ties with the self-governing island as it faces mounting pressure from China.
Speaking to a group of international lawmakers at a China-focused conference held in the European Parliament building, Hsiao emphasized the global importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait. “Peace in the Taiwan Strait is essential to global stability and economic continuity, and international opposition against unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be overstated,” she told the assembly.
The vice president received a standing ovation after highlighting democratic solidarity in an increasingly volatile geopolitical landscape. “In an era marked by increasing fragmentation, volatility and rising authoritarianism, this gathering affirms something vital — that democracies, even when far apart, are not alone,” Hsiao said.
Her Brussels appearance, while not an official address to the full EU Parliament, nonetheless drew sharp criticism from Beijing. China’s mission to Europe released a statement expressing “strong indignation” over the visit, claiming it violated the one-China principle and undermined China-EU relations. “This act seriously harms China’s core interests… while seriously interfering in China’s internal affairs and undermining China-EU political mutual trust,” the statement read.
The Chinese mission further characterized the Taiwan issue as a “red line that cannot be crossed” and urged Europe to stop sending “wrong signals to separatist forces.”
While the EU, like most nations including the United States, follows a “One China” policy and maintains no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, the bloc shares democratic values and strong trade relationships with the island. The EU has consistently opposed any military action by China to resolve its claims over Taiwan.
Hsiao made a direct appeal for increased collaboration on trusted supply chains and AI technology. She drew parallels between Taiwan’s experience with Chinese cyberattacks and cable-cutting operations and the hybrid warfare faced by European nations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “Europe has defended freedom under fire, and Taiwan has built democracy under pressure,” she noted.
The vice president specifically referenced China’s recent restrictions on rare earth exports to the EU, suggesting this should motivate Brussels to create “a reliable technology ecosystem rooted in trust, transparency and democratic values” with Taiwan, similar to existing semiconductor partnerships.
Taiwan faces increasingly aggressive military posturing from China, which claims the island as its territory and threatens to annex it by force if necessary. Chinese warships and fighter jets conduct near-daily drills around the island, significantly escalating tensions in recent years. Last month, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced plans to accelerate development of the “T-Dome” air defense system and boost defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2030.
Hsiao’s Brussels visit was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, a global coalition of lawmakers focused on coordinating policy responses to challenges posed by China. Approximately 50 lawmakers from about two dozen countries attended the event, which was kept under tight security following reports that Chinese agents had previously plotted to ram Hsiao’s vehicle during her March visit to the Czech Republic.
Ben Bland, director of the Asia-Pacific program at Chatham House, recently argued that despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, the EU and Taiwan have significant opportunities to deepen mutually beneficial ties amid worsening U.S.-China tensions. He warned that any conflict over Taiwan could have far more devastating impacts on Europe than Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, given Taiwan’s critical role in global semiconductor and electronics supply chains.
“European nations cannot stop Beijing from squeezing Taiwan harder,” Bland wrote, “But they can help to preserve and even increase Taiwan’s global connections, and share lessons in how to stay resilient.”
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
14 Comments
While I understand Taiwan’s desire for closer EU ties, this move is likely to provoke a harsh response from China. The EU will need to tread carefully to avoid being caught in the middle of an intensifying geopolitical rivalry.
You make a good point. The EU will have to carefully weigh the risks and benefits of engaging more closely with Taiwan. Maintaining constructive relations with both sides of the Taiwan Strait will be essential, but not an easy task.
Taiwan’s vice president is right to call for global solidarity in the face of rising authoritarianism. Strengthening ties between democracies is crucial for preserving peace and stability. The EU should carefully consider how it can support Taiwan without triggering an escalation with China.
Agreed. The EU will need to find a delicate balance, leveraging its economic and diplomatic clout to bolster Taiwan’s security and autonomy while avoiding direct confrontation with China. It’s a high-stakes challenge, but one that the EU must navigate skillfully.
I’m curious to see how the EU responds to Taiwan’s overtures. Deepening economic and security cooperation could benefit both sides, but the political risks are significant given China’s assertive posture.
The EU will have to carefully weigh the potential rewards against the costs of antagonizing China. Striking the right balance between supporting Taiwan and avoiding direct confrontation with Beijing will be challenging.
Interesting to see Taiwan’s vice president call for closer EU ties amid the tensions with China. Strengthening security and economic partnerships between democracies seems prudent in these uncertain times.
I agree, maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait is crucial for global prosperity. The EU should carefully consider how to support Taiwan without escalating the situation.
Taiwan’s vice president is right to highlight the global importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait. Unilateral changes to the status quo by force would have devastating consequences for regional and global stability. The EU should heed this warning and take steps to bolster deterrence.
Absolutely. The EU has a responsibility to help preserve peace and security in the region. Strengthening security and economic ties with Taiwan could be an important part of that effort, but it must be done carefully to avoid further escalating tensions with China.
Taiwan is walking a fine line, trying to bolster international support without provoking China’s wrath. Fostering deeper ties with the EU could help Taiwan secure its autonomy, but Beijing will likely push back hard.
You’re right, China views Taiwan as a core national interest and will strongly oppose any moves toward formal independence or greater international recognition. Navigating this geopolitical minefield will require immense diplomatic skill.
Taiwan’s call for closer EU ties is a bold move, but one that reflects the island’s growing isolation and the need to diversify international partnerships. The EU should seriously consider ways to engage with Taiwan without jeopardizing relations with China.
Agreed. The EU will have to navigate a delicate diplomatic dance, finding ways to support Taiwan’s democracy and autonomy while maintaining constructive ties with China. It’s a high-stakes balancing act with no easy solutions.