Taiwan’s Foreign Minister tells Il Foglio: “Europe has taught China a lesson”

Taipei. On 10 September, Taiwan’s Vice-President, Hsiao Bi-khim, attended the ‘Ventotene European Conference for Freedom and Democracy’ at the invitation of the European Parliament. China reacted promptly, lodging its ‘serious complaints’ with Rome – but above all with Brussels. Nothing more, perhaps because the diplomatic post in Rome was vacant, given that the new ambassador, Hou Yue, was due to take up her post only two days later. In any case, the response from the Vice-President of the European Parliament, Pina Picierno, was immediate: “The agenda of the European Parliament and the European institutions cannot be decided or dictated by Beijing, and no democracy should yield to pressure from an authoritarian regime over who may be hosted in Europe.” This reaction was applauded by Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, Lin Chia-lung. “I was in Ventotene and accompanied our Vice-President during her visit,” he told Il Foglio during an interview attended by other international media outlets in Taipei. “From our arrival in Italy right through to the end of the event, I believe that this whole affair, this entire process, is an excellent example of the fact that democratic countries should not allow themselves to be dictated to or have orders imposed on them by China regarding who to invite to events and what people can say during these meetings. I sincerely thank the European Parliament and also the Italian government for doing the right thing.” 

The most obvious aspect, the minister said, is that “despite China’s protests, Beijing ultimately had to accept the situation. If you try to humour a country like China, it will only end up making further demands. It will keep asking for more and more. But when you maintain a firm stance and set clear boundaries, then China reacts by sending a ‘wolf warrior’ – a diplomat with an aggressive stance – to voice its protests. In the end, however, it essentially has to accept the situation. I therefore believe that this example represents an extremely important lesson”. The underlying problem, according to the Taiwanese minister, is that “China has distorted the interpretation of its position on Taiwan, using the ‘One China’ principle to try to impose its own interpretation of that policy on other countries. It has also misinterpreted United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, claiming that Taiwan is part of China. But if you examine that resolution, you will find that it contains 150 words and none of them mention Taiwan”. And what about Europe? “The European Parliament has also adopted a resolution. Therefore, maintaining relations with Taiwan is actually consistent with European Union policy. Brussels may have a policy towards China, but it can also have a policy towards Taiwan. China should not be allowed to dictate to individual countries how they should interact with Taiwan or how they should maintain relations with the island. In Taiwan, we have deep respect for those European countries that have been at the forefront of promoting democracy, freedom and human rights. I believe that China’s model of governance and its way of acting are not applicable in Europe or in the European Union.”

Europe must understand what Beijing is doing, added Lin Chia-lung: “China has set up police stations and has officers in various countries. We recently learnt that in the United States, the FBI arrested a person who was surveilling our president’s son, who lives there. China has also set up all these police stations in European countries. We must stand up to China and make it clear to them that what they are doing is wrong. Throughout humanity’s long history, freedom has always been fundamental, whether it be freedom of thought, freedom of expression or freedom of movement. I believe these are fundamental human rights that China has deprived its own citizens of.” What can be done, in practical terms? “We must draw a red line with regard to Beijing; otherwise, its attitude will become increasingly aggressive and, ultimately, the conflict will end up taking on even greater proportions.”