European Parliament urges continuous naval presence and deterrence over Taiwan Strait tensions

The European Parliament on Wednesday, 7 October, called on the EU and its member states to work with democratic partners in the region on closer security coordination, including a continuous naval presence and joint exercises, to reinforce regional stability, in a recommendation on EU-China political relations adopted during its plenary session in Strasbourg, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported from Brussels.

The text also asks the European Commission to follow through on its pledge to Parliament to work toward deterring China from provoking or escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and opposes any provocation or unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force or coercion, or against the will of the Taiwanese people.

Radio Taiwan International reported that the recommendation, addressed to the European Council, the Commission and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, passed with 454 votes in favour, 86 against and 110 abstentions. MEPs also called for stronger resilience against cyberattacks, foreign interference, espionage and hybrid threats. The document says the EU's interest lies in reinforcing a multilateral world and in dialogue with China, while rejecting unfair economic practices and Beijing's position on Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Hybrid threats and information sharing

Lawmakers urged structured exchanges among the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan on disinformation, early warning and information sharing, and closer coordination with like-minded partners to build social and institutional resilience against hybrid threats. The recommendation also stresses deeper cooperation with Taiwan on semiconductors and cybersecurity as a way to strengthen European resilience and protect critical supply chains.

Rejecting coercion of Taiwan's international space

The text rejects Chinese attempts to coerce international organisations, third countries and other actors into restricting Taiwan's international participation and contacts, and describes Taiwan as a valuable partner in trade and technology. It reaffirms that the EU's One China policy guides its approach to Taiwan and stresses that the EU has never endorsed China's One China principle.

As evidence of Chinese pressure, the recommendation cites Beijing's actions over Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's attendance at the Ventotene conference on European freedom and democracy, organised by the Parliament last month. It also expresses strong opposition to China's transnational repression, referring to the case against legislator Puma Shen, whom Chinese authorities accuse of founding the civil-defence training group Kuma Academy as a separatist organisation.

The Parliament further asks the United Nations to let holders of Republic of China (Taiwan) passports join UN tours and events, opposes what it calls China's distortion of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758, and calls for preparations to begin on a bilateral investment agreement or a memorandum of understanding on critical supply chains with Taiwan.