China angered by the address, criticising Europe for allowing ‘separatist activities’ to be carried out in parliament building
Taiwan’s vice-president, Bi-Khim Hsiao, urged the EU to boost security and trade ties with the self-governing island and support its democracy in the face of growing threats by China in a rare address to a group of international lawmakers in Brussels.
“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,” Hsiao told lawmakers assembled for a China-focused conference in the European parliament building.
While Hsiao did not formally address the whole EU parliament – the European trade bloc does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan – her visit drew ire from China.
“In an era marked by increasing fragmentation, volatility and rising authoritarianism, this gathering affirms something vital – that democracies, even when far apart, are not alone,” she added, to a standing ovation in a small chamber of the parliament.
