By Aldgra Fredly
Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim called for deeper trade and security ties with Taiwan amid the threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during a rare meeting with lawmakers at the European Parliament.
Hsiao said at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit, held at the European Parliament in Brussels on Nov. 7, that Taiwan plans to raise its defense spending, aiming for 5 percent of gross domestic product by 2030, in the face of China’s “intensifying military and security pressure” against the democratic island nation.
“Peace in the Taiwan Strait is essential to global stability and economic continuity, and international opposition against unilateral changes to the status quo by force cannot be overstated,” she said, according to a transcript provided by Focus Taiwan.
In her speech, Hsiao cited a 2023 incident in which Taiwan’s undersea cables connecting offshore islands were cut by China, causing disruptions to vital communications and emergency services.
The Taiwanese vice president noted that similar incidents have also taken place in Europe.
“These aren’t just technical failures, they are tests of our resilience, and they require concerted efforts in response,” she said.
Hsiao noted that Taiwan seeks to expand cooperation with IPAC members across four key areas: trade and technological cooperation, building resilience in defense and cybersecurity, global inclusion, and supporting peace in the Taiwan Strait.
She called on international lawmakers to back Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the International Civil Aviation Organization, and Interpol.
“When it comes to international participation, things have been so hard us Taiwanese,” she said. “And yet, Taiwan has always sought to be a force for good in the world, and we are grateful to all of you for your continuing support.”
It is rare for a Taiwanese vice president to deliver a speech at the European Parliament, given the potential response from Beijing, which views Taiwan as part of its territory.
The European Union has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan, but it shares common democratic values and trade interests.
China’s Mission to the European Union said on Nov. 8 that Hsiao’s visit to the European parliament “seriously violates the one-China principle” and “undermines political mutual trust between China and the EU.”
“China expresses its strong indignation and firm opposition to this and has lodged a solemn representation with the EU,” it said at a press briefing.
The CCP, which has never ruled Taiwan, views the self-governed island as a breakaway province and has not ruled out the use of force to bring it under its control.
To achieve this goal, the regime has ramped up pressure on Taiwan across multiple fronts. They include carrying out large-scale military drills and flying warplanes near the island on a nearly daily basis, heightening concerns about a potential war in the Taiwan Strait.
Last month, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth raised concerns about Chinese military activities around Taiwan and in the South China Sea during his first in-person meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun.
Hegseth said that while the United States doesn’t seek conflicts, it will “continue to stoutly defend its interests and ensure it has the capabilities in the region to do so.”
Dorothy Li contributed to this report.
