A Taiwanese government delegation is visiting the three eastern EU member states, which frustrates China, because any sign of Taiwan as an independent country angers China.
66 government officials will hold talks in Slovakia on Friday and then travel to the Czech Republic and Lithuania to promote trade relations and investment.
All systems are applicable #Taiwan‘s🇹🇼 Trade and Investment Journey #Slovakia🇸🇰, #Czech Republic🇨🇿 & #Lithuania🇱🇹! NDC Minister Kung led a group of 66 people in 9 days #I🇪🇺 come to visit. main target? Explore opportunities after the pandemic and build a resilient supply chain for a democratic world. pic.twitter.com/asnISJHpml
— Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ROC (Taiwan) 🇹🇼 (@MOFA_Taiwan) October 20, 2021
All three countries have provided Taiwan with a coronavirus vaccine, and Taiwan accuses Beijing of hindering its efforts to ensure adequate doses.
The EU member states have shown signs of wishing to establish a closer relationship with the island, even if this angered China.
Pavel Davis, president of the Czech-Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, said in a statement that this visit is “a unique opportunity for us to establish cooperation in a field where Taiwan is a global leader.”
But this visit angered China, which tried to keep Taipei isolated on the world stage and refused to formally use the term “Taiwan” so as not to bring international legitimacy to the island.
“Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, and the government of the People’s Republic of China is the only legal government representing China,” said Wang Wenbin, a spokesman for the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This visit was also carried out after President Joe Biden told CNN City Hall that if Taiwan is attacked by China, the United States will defend Taiwan. This statement is inconsistent with the United States’ long-term “strategic ambiguity” policy. .
The Taiwan delegation will be composed of Kong Mingxin, Minister of the National Development Commission, and Wu Zongzong, Minister of Science and Technology.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie will visit Prague on October 27.
Only 15 countries officially recognize Taipei instead of Beijing. Beijing claims that this autonomous democratic island is part of its territory and has vowed to retake it one day—if necessary, with force.
Beijing adheres to the one-China policy, which means that countries cannot grant diplomatic recognition to Taiwan.
Wen Bin added that China “deeply regretted and firmly opposed” such visits and threatened to “general condemn” the countries hosting the delegation.
“We also need to warn the Taiwan authorities that any attempt to seek foreign support and political manipulation is doomed to fail,” he said.
Prague aroused the outrage of China last year when a delegation of about 90 Czech politicians, entrepreneurs, scientists and journalists led by Senate Speaker Milos Vystrcil visited Taiwan for five days.
Lithuania, in turn, established a Taiwan representative office in Vilnius under the name “Taiwan” instead of “Taipei.” This move was seen as a major diplomatic departure from standard practice.
Beijing withdrew its ambassador to Lithuania and asked Vilnius to do the same. Eventually it did the same.
Slovakia is also considering sending a delegation to Taiwan. The plan will be discussed during the upcoming visit.
Thursday, the European Parliament Urges the EU to strengthen ties with Taiwan, Calling for increased investment and criticizing China’s handling of the island.
