European Parliament Supports Taiwan’s Participation in International Organizations
The European Parliament has passed a resolution affirming that UN Resolution 2758 does not affect Taiwan’s ability to join the UN or other global organizations. The resolution, which saw 432 votes in favor, 60 against, and 71 abstentions, also declared any unilateral changes to the Taiwan Strait’s status quo as unacceptable. It condemned China’s military actions near Taiwan, emphasizing that any forceful changes would be met with a strong response.
The resolution clarified that Resolution 2758 does not address Taiwan and rejected China’s attempts to misinterpret history and international rules. It urged the EU and its member states to support Taiwan’s participation in organizations like the WHO, Interpol, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. The resolution also called for the UN Secretariat to allow access to Taiwanese individuals, including journalists.
Furthermore, the resolution criticized China’s “grey zone” tactics, such as cyberattacks, and encouraged EU-Taiwan cooperation to counter these threats. While reaffirming the EU’s “one China” policy, the resolution highlighted the shared values between the EU and Taiwan. European Commissioner Nicolas Schmit emphasized the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait for global security.
Schmit noted that UN Resolution 2758, which transferred UN representation from Chiang Kai-shek’s representatives to the People’s Republic of China, does not mention Taiwan. He welcomed the European Parliament’s focus on promoting positive cross-strait relations. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs encouraged more countries to join the EU and US in addressing Beijing’s misinterpretation of the resolution.
Doubts Revealed
European Parliament -: The European Parliament is a group of people who make important decisions for countries in Europe. They discuss and vote on laws and policies that affect European countries.
Taiwan -: Taiwan is an island near China. It has its own government and people, but China also claims it as part of its country.
UN Resolution 2758 -: UN Resolution 2758 is a decision made by the United Nations in 1971. It recognized the People’s Republic of China as the only representative of China in the UN, which affected Taiwan’s participation in the UN.
WHO -: WHO stands for the World Health Organization. It is a group that helps countries around the world with health issues, like fighting diseases and improving healthcare.
Interpol -: Interpol is an international police organization. It helps different countries’ police forces work together to solve crimes and catch criminals.
Taiwan Strait -: The Taiwan Strait is a body of water that separates Taiwan from mainland China. It is an important area for shipping and has been a point of tension between Taiwan and China.
Grey zone tactics -: Grey zone tactics are actions that are not quite war but are meant to pressure or intimidate another country. They can include things like cyber attacks or military exercises near another country’s borders.
One China policy -: The ‘one China’ policy is a belief that there is only one China, which includes both mainland China and Taiwan. Many countries, including the European Union, recognize this policy in their relations with China.