Taiwanese envoy Roy Lee urged the European Union to maintain a firm立场 against China’s “intimidating and coercive” tactics, stressing the crucial need for solidarity with Taiwan. Speaking to Euronews, Lee подчеркнул the importance of bolstering bilateral relations and reiterating to Beijing the necessity of respecting Taiwan’s democratic processes and the international order. He warned against appeasement, asserting that it only emboldens Beijing to escalate tensions further. The envoy’s comments come amid heightened tensions following Taiwan’s closely-watched presidential and legislative elections, which resulted in a victory for the Democratic Progressive Party’s Vice-President Lai Ching-te. Notably, the Kuomintang secured the most seats in the Legislative Yuan, marking the first time no party obtained an absolute majority. The election campaign highlighted the contrasting approaches of the two parties regarding relations with mainland China. Beijing swiftly condemned Lai’s victory, reiterating its stance on Taiwan as an integral part of China. The European Union, meanwhile, maintained a cautious stance, expressing its commitment to developing relations with Taiwan while refraining from taking sides. “We look forward to continuing to develop our relations with Taiwan and to supporting the shared values underpinning this system of governance,” a spokesperson of the European Commission said. With the DPP retaining the presidency, continuity in Taiwan’s foreign policy is expected, including its efforts to strengthen ties with Western democracies despite Beijing’s objections. Despite gestures of support from the European Parliament, obstacles remain within the EU regarding relations with Taiwan. Mareike Ohlberg, a senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, highlighted concerns among member states about offending China. Currently, Vatican City stands as the sole European nation recognizing Taiwan as sovereign. While official visits from European representatives to Taiwan have increased, they serve partly as a substitute for the security assurances the EU is unable to provide. This signaling, Ohlberg notes, aims to underscore Europe’s interest in maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait. Roy Lee echoed these sentiments, stressing the EU’s vital role in defending Taiwan’s democracy and regional peace. Anticipating China’s continued pressure on Taiwan, Lee underscored the need for sustained support from the EU.
Taiwan Envoy Urges EU to Stand Firm Against China’s Coercive Tactics
