ASIATODAY.ID, TAIPEI — Europe has sent a clear political signal to Beijing.
A 10-member delegation from the European Parliament arrived in Taiwan on January 4, 2026, marking the first parliamentary visit of the year and underscoring Europe’s increasingly explicit support for Taiwan amid mounting pressure from China.
The delegation is led by Michael Gahler of Germany, Chair of the European Parliament’s Taiwan Friendship Group, and includes lawmakers from the European People’s Party (EPP). The visit is widely seen as a direct message to Beijing that the European Union will not remain silent as tensions escalate across the Taiwan Strait.
During their stay, the European lawmakers are scheduled to meet President Lai Ching-te and attend an official reception hosted by Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung.
The delegation will also visit key Taiwanese institutions, including the National Security Council, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC)—highlighting the security dimension of the visit.
High on the agenda are discussions on countering disinformation and cyber warfare, whole-of-society defense resilience, and deepening EU–Taiwan economic and trade cooperation. Talks will also address the Indo-Pacific security environment and the rapidly evolving dynamics of cross-Strait relations, which remain overshadowed by China’s military and political pressure.
Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that the visit aligns with the European Parliament’s official stance. On April 2, 2025, the Parliament adopted by a strong majority a resolution on the implementation of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), warning of rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait.
The resolution criticized China for distorting UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 to block Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations, and urged the EU and its member states to further deepen cooperation and exchanges with Taiwan across multiple sectors.
Taipei views the European Parliament’s backing as part of a broader effort to consolidate a global democratic front in the face of authoritarian pressure.
Taiwan has pledged to further strengthen ties with Europe to bolster democratic resilience, expand value-based alliances, and help safeguard regional stability as geopolitical rivalry intensifies. (AT Network)
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