September 12, 2018
No.229
The European Parliament adopted a Report on the State of EU-China Relations during a plenary session in Strasbourg, France, on September 12, calling on the European Union and its Member States to urge China to refrain from military provocation towards Taiwan and endangering peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It reiterated support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations and the launch of negotiations on a bilateral investment agreement with Taiwan. This resolution again highlighted the friendship and support extended to Taiwan by Members of the European Parliament (MEP) across all political groups. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomes and appreciates their kind gesture.
The report was drafted by MEP Bas Belder from the Netherlands and enjoyed a cross-group endorsement. Among the issues discussed in the report were EU-China relations, the 16+1 platform, the Belt and Road Initiative, China’s control over its society, and China’s restriction on human rights development and religious freedom. The report also expressed concern over cross-strait relations and reiterated EU support for forging bilateral ties with Taiwan.
In drawing attention to the contrast between China’s authoritarian party-state regime and Taiwan’s multiparty democracy, the report warned of the danger of an escalation in cross-strait relations. In this context, it recommended that the EU and its Member States urge China to refrain from further military provocation and jeopardizing peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. It also called for cross-strait disputes to be settled by peaceful means on the basis of international law, expressed concern over China’s unilateral decision to start new flight routes over the Taiwan Strait, and encouraged Beijing and Taipei to resume official dialogue.
In the report, the European Parliament (EP) reiterated its consistent support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), where Taiwan’s continued exclusion is not in line with the EU’s interests. It also reaffirmed its support for a EU-Taiwan BIA.
In recent years, the EP has adopted several resolutions expressing support for Taiwan. In this latest resolution, it again recognized Taiwan’s outstanding achievements in freedom and democracy, underlined deep concern for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and also encouraged the resumption of official cross-strait dialogue. At a time when China has imposed coercive suppression and bullying of Taiwan, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is grateful to the EP for its staunch support and friendship toward Taiwan. MOFA urges all like-minded countries to face and counter the serious threat that China poses to global order and security, and to make a unanimous rejection of China’s untoward behavior. (E)