This movement underlines the recognition of Taiwan as a fundamental partner of the European Union.
The European Parliament passed two key resolutions on the European Union’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defense Policy (CSDP) for 2023, emphasizing the independent relationship between Taiwan and China. In this way,endorsed the government of Taiwan as the sole legitimate representative of the Taiwanese people in the international arena.
The resolutions were approved by 338 votes in favor and 86 against; and 350 to 91, respectively.
This movement underlines the recognition of Taiwan as a fundamental partner of the European Union in the Indo-Pacific region and shows European support for the island’s greater global participation, the Taiwanese Executive highlighted.
Furthermore, the adoption of these resolutions reflects the European bloc’s concern over China’s military activities and gray zone operations towards Taiwan, and urge Beijing to stop actions that destabilize regional peace.
This development is not isolated, as in the last two years the European Parliament has reportedly issued more than 20 resolutions supporting Taiwan and promoting bilateral cooperation between the island and the European Union.
The European position is consolidated with consecutive annual visits to Taiwan by representatives of the European Parliament for three years, evidencing concrete and continuous support for the island.
In another order, the Government of Taiwan denounced this Tuesday the incursion of five Chinese vessels into waters near the Kinmen Islands, controlled by Taipei, after two Chinese fishermen died more than a week ago when their boat capsized after being chased by Taiwanese coast guard.
The Taiwan Maritime Commission has indicated that among the vessels was a supervision ship and four vessels from the Asian country’s Coast Guard, which “entered a prohibited and restricted zone in the waters of Kinmen on Monday,” although it has highlighted that this incursion “did not last long.”
The Coast Guard asked these vessels via public address system to leave the area, which is located just a few kilometers southeast of the Chinese city of Xiamen, according to information from the newspaper United Daily News.
The authorities warned that these actions by Beijing represent a clear intention to reclaim its sovereignty.
Taiwan’s Defense Minister, Chiu Kuo Cheng, has indicated that the coast guard has monitored the situation and has highlighted that there was a real “threat” to Taiwanese troops on the ground.
The death of the two Chinese fishermen has increased tension between the parties. According to Taiwan, the vessel tried to avoid a coast guard inspection and capsized while being pursued by a Coast Guard vessel. However, China has called the incident “malicious” and has asked for explanations.
On February 20, Taiwan authorities asked the Chinese regime to act “rationally” and “fairly” after what they considered an “unfortunate incident.” Since then, Beijing has expressed its intention to increase controls and patrols after the incident, while Taiwanese Prime Minister Chen Chien Jen has defended that the coast guard will continue to “protect the territorial waters” of the island.
