Office of the President Republic of China(Taiwan)

On the morning of January 6, President Lai Ching-te met with a delegation from the European Parliament. In remarks, President Lai said that in the face of hybrid challenges posed by authoritarianism, only by solidarity can democratic nations safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and uphold the rules-based international order. The president stated that Taiwan is willing to become a most trustworthy partner of Europe and contribute even more to the resilience of global democratic supply chains. He expressed hope that Taiwan and Europe can work with each other to foster regional and global stability and prosperity, continuing to create a mutually beneficial and prosperous future.

A translation of President Lai’s remarks follows:

First, on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, I extend sincere greetings to you all. You have traveled a long way to be with us, demonstrating your high regard for Taiwan and the deep friendship we enjoy. Your presence also highlights the European Parliament’s longstanding, firm support for such universal values as democracy, freedom, respect for human rights, and the rule of law. For this, I extend my sincerest respect and gratitude.

Chair of the European Taiwan Friendship Group Michael Gahler is a long-time friend of Taiwan, with this being his fifth visit. Thank you for bringing even more new friends with you on this trip. I understand that many of the parliament members here today are visiting Taiwan for the first time. I hope you will take home to Europe your experiences of the freedom, diversity, democracy, and hospitality evident in Taiwan’s everyday life. This will help the values shared by Taiwan and Europe become a shared language through which to deepen our friendship.

In recent years, there has been great progress in Taiwan-Europe dialogue, cooperation, and exchanges across all fields. For example, last year, the Formosa Club held its annual conference in Taiwan for the first time. In-depth discussions were held on such topics as the security and resilience of undersea cables, regional security, and the outlook for Taiwan-Europe cooperation. This fully demonstrated the high level of concern and support for Taiwan among the European Parliament and Europe’s national parliaments.

Last November, Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao was invited by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China to deliver a speech at the European Parliament. Her remarks highlighted Taiwan’s determination to bolster cooperation with like-minded countries and enhanced understanding of and backing for Taiwan among our friends in parliament across nations.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank the European Parliament for passing numerous resolutions in support of Taiwan over the years, for continuing to pay close attention to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and for staunchly supporting Taiwan’s international participation. These actions have sent the clear message to the international community that the virtuous never stand alone. In facing the long-term, hybrid challenges posed by authoritarian China – including military threats, gray-zone aggression, and diplomatic and economic coercion – Taiwan has come to a very profound understanding. Such challenges have proven, once again, the importance of peace through strength. More importantly, they have confirmed the need for democratic nations to come together to resist the expansion of authoritarianism, safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and uphold the rules-based international order.

Peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are not only crucial to security in the Indo-Pacific, but are also key to European security and global economic prosperity. Taiwan is able, willing, and determined to become a most trustworthy partner of Europe, especially in the semiconductor and high-tech industries. We are also ready to contribute even more to the resilience of global democratic supply chains and work with others to foster regional and global stability and prosperity.

Taiwan stands ready to join hands with the European Parliament and parliamentarians to transform our bilateral exchanges into concrete actions that build democratic supply chains. Doing so will further strengthen the resilience of the global economy. Taiwan will continue to demonstrate steadiness and confidence, and show that we are an indispensable force for good in the international community. With your support, I look forward to Taiwan and Europe continuing to create a mutually beneficial and prosperous future.

Chair Gahler then delivered remarks, first wishing a prosperous and peaceful new year, as well as horsepower for the Year of the Horse, on behalf of the delegation comprising eight members of the European Parliament from six countries. He then expressed gratitude for the generous invitation to visit Taiwan and to have extensive talks and insights into a like-minded democracy in East Asia.

The chair noted that the delegation represents the European People’s Party, which is the largest group in the European Parliament. Some of his colleagues in the delegation also experienced in the past what it means to live in an autocratic, authoritarian, and dictatorial regime, he said, so they are very much aware what it means to live in a democracy and what the value of freedom is. He went on to say that in a moment where globally, many certainties that we have had over decades seem to be fading away, it is important that stable democracies join forces. Chair Gahler stated that is why they stand for the maintenance of a peaceful status quo across the Taiwan Strait, while noting what the other side is doing in multifold places and from multifold angles to change the status quo. That is also why they propagate as a very important issue the maintenance of the status quo and underline it by political statements, from the European Parliament or different national governments, he said.

Chair Gahler went on to say that the Taiwan Strait is an international strait, and it is good that different countries demonstrate that by sending ships through it and making it clear that they do not accept a unilateral change of the status quo. He indicated that they have strongly criticized the latest belligerent and aggressive posture that mainland China practiced the previous week around Taiwan, which was a provocation and demonstrated an unacceptable attitude endangering the peaceful coexistence across the strait.

Chair Gahler pointed out that there are many issues that Taiwan and Europe have in common which both sides need to address and exchange experience regarding. Noting that yesterday they discussed how to address the challenges of unlawful and unfriendly cutting of undersea cables, he indicated that this is something Taiwan has experienced, as well as something Europe experiences, especially in the Baltic Sea. Apart from security-related issues, he said, there are many other fields of policymaking where both sides need to and can deepen and broaden cooperation, whether in trade, science, or health. He concluded his remarks by saying that they are looking forward to the talks that they are going to have this week, once again expressing gratitude for the generous invitation.

The delegation also included Members of the European Parliament Sven Simon, Wouter Beke, Christophe Gomart, Marion Walsmann, Iuliu Winkler, Michał Szczerba, and Jan Farský.