European Parliament Members Warn China’s Hostility May Backfire in Taiwan
In Taipei, visiting Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) expressed concerns that China’s aggressive stance towards Taiwan could have unintended consequences, similar to Russia’s actions in Ukraine. MEP Michael Gahler, leading the delegation, compared China’s attempts to influence Taiwan to Russia’s impact on Ukraine, noting that many Ukrainians have developed a strong national identity in response to Russian aggression.
Gahler, chair of the European Taiwan Friendship Group, highlighted that Russia’s justification for its actions—claiming discrimination against Russian speakers—had the opposite effect, strengthening Ukrainian identity. He suggested that China’s pressure on Taiwan might similarly unite the Taiwanese people against external influence.
MEP Bernard Guetta from France agreed, stating that China’s hostility is fostering a sense of nationhood in Taiwan. Gahler praised Taiwan for demonstrating that a Chinese-speaking society can thrive democratically, challenging China’s narrative.
The European Parliament recently passed a resolution opposing China’s interpretation of U.N. Resolution 2758, which marginalizes Taiwan. Gahler emphasized that the resolution does not require statehood for international relations, encouraging Taiwan to engage in global forums.
During discussions with Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim, Gahler explored enhancing economic cooperation between the EU and Taiwan, particularly in semiconductors and artificial intelligence. He stressed the importance of mutual dependence and collaboration in these fields.
Doubts Revealed
European Parliament -: The European Parliament is a group of people who make important decisions for countries in Europe. They work together to create laws and policies that affect all the countries in the European Union.
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and people, but China considers it a part of its country. Many countries, including India, have different views on Taiwan’s status.
MEP -: MEP stands for Member of the European Parliament. These are people elected to represent the citizens of the European Union in the European Parliament.
Russia’s actions in Ukraine -: Russia and Ukraine are two countries in Europe. Russia’s actions in Ukraine refer to when Russia took control of a part of Ukraine called Crimea in 2014, which led to conflicts and tensions.
U.N. Resolution 2758 -: U.N. Resolution 2758 is a decision made by the United Nations in 1971. It recognized the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China, which affected Taiwan’s status in the U.N.
Semiconductors -: Semiconductors are tiny parts used in electronic devices like computers and smartphones. They help control electricity and are very important for making technology work.
AI -: AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. It is a type of technology that allows machines to learn and make decisions like humans. AI is used in many things, like voice assistants and self-driving cars.
