China FM tours Europe as Taiwanese diplomat visits Czechia, Slovakia

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi commenced a whistlestop diplomatic tour of Europe yesterday in Greece, where he met his opposite number Nikos Dendias. Wang will also visit Serbia, Albania and Italy to talk trade, investment and cultural relations with the countries, all of which are participants in China’s Belt & Road Initiative.

Taiwan’s Foreign Affairs Joseph Wu is meanwhile making official visits to Czechia and Slovakia this week. The European Parliament recently passed a resolution to cultivate closer diplomatic ties with Taiwan, not least by officially recognising Taipei, as the Chinese government considers Taiwan to be a region of China.

Of all the EU member states of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), Lithuania is seen as the most vehement supporter of Taiwanese autonomy. In March Lithuanian state media reported that the country had decided quit the”17+1″ Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries initiative. Newsweek reports meanwhile that EU politicians are planning an official visit to meet senior foreign affairs and justice officials in Taiwan, a move that will anger China. Trade between China and CEE totalled USD 629.4 billion in the first three quarters of this year.

Sources: Global Times, Newsweek