[Epoch Times November 11, 2021](Epoch Times reporter Li Yan compiled a report) European countries have long distanced themselves from Taiwan and beware of provoking Beijing. However, a series of unusual diplomatic activities indicate that subtle changes may be taking place in Europe, partly because the region is increasingly disappointed with the CCP’s aggressive posture.
Two weeks ago, Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu launched a charm offensive in Europe and had an unprecedented informal meeting with EU lawmakers. The European Parliament overwhelmingly supported a resolution calling for strengthening relations with Taiwan, the “partner and democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific region”.
Then, last week, the European Parliament sent a delegation to Taiwan for the first official visit in history and ignored Beijing’s threat of retaliation.
“We came here with a very simple and clear message.” Raphaël Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament and head of the delegation, was in Taipei last Thursday (November 4). At a meeting, Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen was told, “You are not alone.”
“Europe stands with you.” Gluxman said.
The New York Times reported that formal diplomatic contact between the European Parliament and Taiwan was impossible even a year ago. At that time, the China-Europe Agreement, once regarded as a geopolitical victory for Beijing, was about to be signed. However, the CCP’s increasingly self-righteous authoritarian signs have made Europe increasingly distrustful of it, and a little bit disgusted.
In the end, European parliamentarians blocked the investment agreement on the grounds that the CCP violated human rights and sanctions. The CCP’s suppression of Hong Kong people, its handling of the coronavirus (CCP virus) pandemic, and the use of warplanes to disrupt Taiwan have prompted Europe to reassess its relations with China and strengthen its relations with Taiwan.
Janka Oertel, Director of the European Council on External Relations, said: “For the first time in history, in a very important way, Europe’s perception of Taiwan has undergone a subtle but obvious change. People have already It is clearly recognized that the situation in Taiwan is of concern to Europeans not only from the perspective of values, but also from the perspective of regional security architecture.”
EU Member of Parliament: It is a mistake not to cooperate with Taiwan
The “New Times” report believes that for many people in Taiwan and Europe, it is natural for Taiwan to become a partner of Europe. The thriving democratic Taiwan has an independent legal system that provides strong protection for individual rights and the environment, and the European Union has always been proud of itself as a “value alliance.”
After the COVID-19 (disease caused by the Chinese Communist Party virus) pandemic broke out, Taiwan’s efforts to respond to the epidemic have also improved its global image. After the epidemic in Taiwan was basically brought under control, the Tsai Ing-wen government sent millions of masks to various countries including Europe, winning praise from local officials.
Recently, the continued shortage of semiconductor chips has highlighted Taiwan’s indispensable and key role in the global chip supply chain. From the iPhone to the German cars need these chips to power them.
Theresa Fallon, director of the European and Asian Studies Center of the Brussels Research Institute, said: “Democracy plus chips are a successful formula in Europe.”
Glucksman said in an interview in Taipei, “It is a mistake not to cooperate with Taiwan. Where can you find a place where you know the Chinese (CCP) regime better than here?”
This EU member of parliament who came to France is one of the parliamentarians who have been sanctioned by Beijing this year (2021) for criticizing the CCP’s human rights record. He said that Europe has traditionally paid more attention to interference from Russia than the CCP.
Taiwan is also seeking to promote commercial ties with Europe and eventually reach a bilateral investment agreement to counter the CCP’s diplomatic isolation efforts. It has sent a 66-member delegation of officials and business leaders to the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Lithuania to discuss investment and industrial cooperation.
Earlier this year, Lithuania, despite Beijing’s various retaliatory measures, insisted on advancing its plan to open a representative office in Taipei early next year.
Professor of Renmin University: The CCP does not want to see but cannot get rid of it
Last month, Charles Michel, the chairman of the Council, representing the 27 members of the European Union Group, had the first call since the suspension of the China-EU Investment Agreement in May with the Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. After the call, Michelle announced on his Twitter account that the two parties had agreed to hold a video summit soon.
Experts believe that despite this call, the relationship between Beijing and the EU is unlikely to improve in a short time. Shi Yinhong, a professor at the School of International Relations at Renmin University of China in Beijing, said that Beijing is unwilling to back down on what it considers to be core interests, such as Taiwan and Xinjiang, which is a focal point of tension between the two sides.
Regarding Europe’s recent interaction with Taiwan, Professor Shi said, “This is something China (the CCP) does not want to see; this is not something that makes the Chinese (CCP) government happy.”
“But (the CCP) seems to have no way to get rid of all this in the near future,” he said.
Editor in charge: Lin Yan#
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