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Opening remarks 

Monsieur le President, Honourable Members,  

Since the beginning of this year, tensions in the Taiwan Strait have risen again.  

First, let me recall that the European Union maintains our ‘One China’ policy. This means that we recognise the government of the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal government of China.  

Second, at the same time, we have an interest in maintaining close relations with Taiwan. Taiwan is a vibrant democracy. Our cooperation and dialogue with Taiwan are getting more intense on a broad range of issues, in line with our interests and values. Taiwan’s system is based on democracy, the rule of law and human rights. In many ways, the European Union and Taiwan are like-minded. In short, we engage with Taiwan, in the absence of diplomatic relations. 

Third, peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity. Displays of force and increasing tensions and threats in regional hotspots such as in the South and East China Sea and in the Taiwan Strait have a direct impact on European security and prosperity. Thus, the European Union has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. We oppose any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion. It is for this reason that we follow very closely all developments around the Taiwan Strait. China’s military activities around Taiwan increase cross-strait tensions. 

We have called on both parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate cross-strait tensions, which should be resolved through dialogue. We have always encouraged mainland China and Taiwan to engage constructively with one another, and to restart dialogue between them. We are willing to support initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building between the two sides. 

United Nations Resolution 2758 is very short - only 150 words. And among those 150 words, the word “Taiwan” does not appear. The resolution switched representation in the United Nations from the “representatives of Chiang Kai-shek” to the “representatives of the Government of the People’s Republic of China”. 

I welcome the European Parliament’s focus on this issue and this important debate. We should take all opportunities to promote a more positive dynamic in cross-Strait relations, which contributes to peace, not only in the region, but also globally.  

Link to the video (starting at 19:22:50): https://multimedia.europarl.europa.eu/en/webstreaming/plenary-session_20241022-0900-PLENARY  

Closing remarks  

President, Honourable Members, 

This has been a very useful exchange, and I thank the Members for their interventions. From this debate I conclude that we maintain the EU’s ‘One China’ policy and, at the same time, we condemn all forms of escalation in the region. We also share the common commitment to continuing to develop our relations with Taiwan. The European Union will not compromise in its efforts to preserve stability and the status quo in the Strait. Those efforts mean preserving our space for engagement with Taiwan, not permitting it to be reduced by force or intimidation. Much is at stake in Taiwan, and we are invested in it fully. 

May I close by stressing my appreciation of [the] Parliament’s role in putting this important issue on the international agenda of the European Union. And I must say, these antisemitic remarks are shocking. 

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-262405