The European Union must stand "firm" with Taiwan to confront China's "intimidating and coercive" behaviour, says Taipei's envoy to the bloc.
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00:00 One of the most closely watched geopolitical events of the year, the presidential elections
00:07 in Taiwan brought to power the sitting vice president, William Lai. During the election
00:12 campaign, he advocated closer ties with democratic partners globally, like the European Union.
00:19 But Taiwan is a hot potato in Brussels that divides member states. There is fear of retaliation
00:25 from Beijing, who considers Taiwan its breakaway province.
00:29 Bowing to China, for Taiwan's diplomatic envoy to the EU, Europe can only contribute to greater
00:35 stability in the region if it allies itself with Taipei.
00:40 Standing firm with Taiwan is the best way to de-escalate the tension in the future,
00:46 because appeasement or remorderness at this moment only encourages Beijing to escalate
00:57 the situation. It's the support, the firm support from EU and member states, not only
01:04 for Taiwan, but I would say also for Europe's interest, but also at a higher level for the
01:12 global prosperity and security.
01:16 Trade ties between Taiwan and the EU were upgraded in 2022, but the plan was cancelled
01:20 in the last minute out of fear of anger in Beijing. Yet Taiwan is still Europe's 14th
01:26 largest trading partner in the world, and last year Taiwan announced to build a semiconductor
01:31 factory in Germany. Big trade agreements, bilateral with member states on the EU level,
01:36 don't seem likely under the new administration in Taiwan. But exports point at numerous existing
01:42 low-key contacts that can be developed further and create even closer cooperation.
01:50 We've had some visits, primarily from parliaments, delegations visiting Taiwan, and then we've
01:56 also seen some careful, more careful ties at the ministerial level, where, for instance,
02:03 ministries went to Taiwan to talk to their Taiwanese counterparts. And I think it's particularly
02:09 these smaller corporations establishing ties and making sure that Europe is invested in
02:18 Taiwan where I see the most benefit and the most potential for having closer ties between
02:26 Europe and Taiwan.
02:28 The official position of the EU on Taiwan is yes to bilateral ties, but no to political
02:33 recognition. A balanced and united European approach that supports Taiwan, but does not
02:38 alienate or even provoke Beijing. Getting that balance right will be a major test for
02:44 Europe's Asian strategy, no matter who is president of Taiwan.
02:48 (whooshing)
02:50 (whooshing)