EU delegation’s visit to Taiwan strengthens relations, raises Beijing’s ire

In the first visit to Taiwan by an official European Union delegation, 13 MEPs have met with Taiwanese premier Su Tseng-chang today in Taipei. Their visit comes in the wake of the EU having passed a resolution in October to “intensify EU-Taiwan political relations” and establish a bilateral investment agreement.

On their visit the EU parliamentarians will also meet with Taiwan’s president, digital minister and representatives of think-tanks and civil society groups in a show of support for the island, at a time of abrasive relations between western nations and China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory.

Of Taiwan, chair of the EU’s foreign interference committee, Raphael Glucksmann, said. ”You have shown that in this region democracy can flourish and that authoritarian regimes are not the future.”

This past summer, EU member Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in its capital, while Beijing called home the Chinese ambassador in retaliation. Meanwhile, to boost ties with other EU member states, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, last week Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu visited paid them a visit.

Source: Associated Press