EU lawmakers reject China’s pressure on Taiwan

• Staff writer, with CNA, BRUSSELS

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The European Parliament on Wednesday adopted a recommendation on EU-China political relations that rejected China’s efforts to restrict Taiwan’s participation in international organizations and exchanges.

The recommendation, addressed to the European Council, the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, includes several references to EU-Taiwan relations and expresses support for closer ties, saying they would bring positive benefits and have strategic importance.

Describing Taiwan as a valuable partner in trade and technology, the European Parliament said it “rejects China’s attempts to coerce international organizations, third countries and other actors into restricting Taiwan’s international participation and contacts.”

Members of the European Parliament attend a vote during a plenary session at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Wednesday.

Photo: EPA

It mentions as an example Chinese pressure over Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim’s (蕭美琴) participation in the European Conference of Ventotene for Freedom and Democracy organized by the European Parliament last month.

It also expresses “the EU’s strong disapproval of China’s transnational repression activities,” such as its investigation into Legislator Puma Shen (沈伯洋) under a 2024 judiciary guideline accusing him of launching the “pro-independence separatist organization” Kuma Academy.

The Kuma Academy is a nonprofit dedicated to training civilians on the basics of civil defense.

The recommendation reaffirms that the EU’s “one China” policy guides its policy toward Taiwan and stresses that the EU has never endorsed China’s “one China” principle, the recommendation says.

It also opposes any unilateral attempt to change the “status quo” by force or coercion, or any provocation or any change against the will of Taiwanese.

The recommendation calls for the EU and its member states to work with other democratic partners in the region on closer security coordination, including a continuous naval presence and joint exercises, to reinforce regional stability.

It also calls on the European Commission to fulfill its pledge to parliament to work toward deterring China from provoking or escalating tensions with Taiwan.

At the same time, the commission should continue to develop EU-Taiwan relations in various areas under the EU’s longstanding “one China” policy and encourage dialogue and constructive engagement across the Taiwan Strait, it said.

The recommendation also calls on the UN to reject Chinese demands and grant Republic of China passport holders, including tourists, journalists, non-governmental organization workers and political activists, access to tours and events at the UN.

The European Parliament also opposes what it describes as China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758 to support its claims over Taiwan’s territory and sovereignty.

UN Resolution 2758 does not mention Taiwan and addresses only the issue of China’s UN representation. Beijing interprets the resolution as giving it the right to represent Taiwan.

The recommendation also stresses the importance of deepening economic and technological cooperation with Taiwan in areas such as semiconductors and cybersecurity to strengthen Europe’s resilience and protect critical supply chains.

It calls for the EU to begin preparations without delay for negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement or another arrangement, such as a memorandum of understanding on critical supply chains, with Taiwan.