The European Parliament adopted a resolution denouncing China for its attempts to distort history and international rules in order to justify its territorial claims over Taiwan. Lawmakers urged Beijing to cease military operations, economic coercion, and hostile disinformation campaigns against the self-ruling democratic island. China reacted with fury, warning that the Taiwan question concerns its sovereignty and is a red line that must not be crossed. The Chinese Mission to the EU issued a statement deploring the breach of the one-China principle and interference in China’s internal affairs. The One-China policy, based on UN Resolution 2758, recognises the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate representative and does not mention Taiwan or the Republic of China (RoC).
Beijing has used Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan from participating in international bodies as an observer, citing its territorial claims over the island. The European Parliament challenged China’s interpretation of the resolution, asserting that it takes no position on Taiwan and rejecting China’s attempts to distort history and international rules. Lawmakers called on the EU to support Taiwan’s participation in international organisations and emphasised that it is up to the Taiwanese people to democratically decide how they want to live. China criticised the Parliament’s position, accusing it of distorting facts and treading on international law, and urged the EU to act prudently on the Taiwan question.
Taiwan’s president, William Lai, has rejected China’s rhetoric and vowed that the island would never become subordinate to the mainland. Lai has offered China formal dialogue based on parity and dignity but China has dismissed him as a dangerous separatist. China has increased military drills near Taiwan in response to what it perceives as provocations from Lai. In May, Lai stated that Taiwan does not need to declare independence as it is de facto independent. China’s rejection of Lai’s offer for dialogue and increased military drills near Taiwan have escalated tensions between the two sides.
The European Parliament’s position on Taiwan has not been well received by Beijing, with the Chinese Mission warning that certain politicians should abandon attempts to obstruct China’s reunification by exploiting the Taiwan question. China views the Parliament’s stance as a provocation against the post-WWII international order and basic norms of international relations. China believes Resolution 2758 provides a legal basis for its territorial claims over Taiwan, which it considers a breakaway province. The One-China principle has been a long-standing policy that is respected by the EU, the US, and most of the international community.
In July, China reacted strongly to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to work with other democratic nations in the region to deter China from unilaterally changing the status quo, particularly over Taiwan. Von der Leyen’s proposal came one day after her re-election, prompting China to warn that she was “playing with fire.” The tensions between China and the EU over the Taiwan issue highlight the complex and sensitive nature of international relations in the region. The EU’s support for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations has further strained its relationship with Beijing, as both sides continue to assert their respective positions on the Taiwan question.
