A top level delegation of MEPs, MPs and other officials is in Taiwan this week in order to “express solidarity” with the nation.
The trip comes amid mounting tension between Taiwan and China. There are concerns in some quarters that China is set on a military showdown with Taiwan which it (China) claims as part of its territory.
A delegation of European Greens, led by senior German member Reinhard Bütikofer, is currently visiting Taiwan on a fact-finding mission and in a bid to show support for Taiwan.
Bütikofer: Speaking after his arrival in Taiwan on Monday, Butikofer told this site: “I am very happy with the intense programme. We received a warm welcome by President Tsai Ing-wen. There is a strong wish on both sides to intensify EU-Taiwan relations
“This is a very important time period. Solidarity between democracies vis-a-vis an authoritarian threat is more important than ever.”
The delegation comprises several European Parliament Greens/EFA members and includes Heidi Hautala,Vice-President of the group in the European Parliament.
Also in Taiwan is Agnieszka Brugger, Deputy Chairwoman of the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen parliamentary group in the German Bundestag, and Till Steffen, Parliamentary Secretary of the Bündnis 90/Die Grünen.
The visit also comprises Boris Mijatovic, Head of the Human Rights and Humanitarian Aid Working Group at Bündnis 90/Die Grünen.
The delegation will stay in Taiwan from 25 to 28 March and hold high level meetings with representatives of the Taiwanese government, Taiwanese political parties, European representatives in Taiwan, business, researchers and NGOs.
A spokesman for the group said, “The delegation seeks to contribute to the fruitful exchange between European political parties and Taiwan and to express solidarity with Taiwan.”
Meanwhile, Willy Fautre, director of Human Rights Without Frontiers, a leading Brussels based NGO, has criticized China over its policy towards Taiwan.
The Belgian said, China’s policy of destabilisation in the Indo-Pacific region also threatens Taiwan and the cross-straits relations. The intrusion attempts of Beijing in democratic elections are not to be underestimated.”
He added, “The espionage of China through TikTok and other global communication systems is also taken very seriously in Europe and in America.”
“The intrusion of China in economic and commercial workings of European countries and its expansion in African countries is also extremely dangerous for our sovereignty.”
One of the prominent concerns is the restriction on freedom of expression, says Fautre.
He added, “The Chinese government tightly controls media outlets, censors online content, and monitors social media platforms. Dissent and criticism of the government are met with harsh consequences, leading to a chilling effect on free speech.Activists, journalists, and even ordinary citizens face repercussions for expressing viewscontrary to the official narrative.”
