‘We Came Here to Learn From You,’ First European Parliament Delegation Visits Taiwan

Taiwan’s occurrence and capableness to face threats and disinformation from the Chinese authorities is simply a “gold mine” for Europe, said Raphael Glucksmann, the caput of a visiting European Union delegation, successful a associated property league successful Taipei with Taiwan’s Presiden Tsai Ing-wen connected Nov. 4.

“This is the archetypal authoritative sojourn from a delegation of the European Parliament [EP] to Taiwan. This is to guarantee however important the Taiwanese ideology is for the European citizens we are representing,” said Glucksmann, a French subordinate of the EP.

Tsai and different Taiwanese officials held a closed-door gathering with the delegates aft their property conference.

The 13-person delegation that arrived successful Taiwan connected Nov. 3 for a three-day visit, included 7 members of EP’s Special Committee connected Foreign Interference successful each Democratic Processes successful the European Union, including Disinformation, who are from France, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Austria, Greece, and Italy.

“We came present with a precise simple, precise wide message: you are not alone. Europe is lasting with you, by you, successful the defence of freedom, regularisation of law, and quality dignity,” Glucksmann said.

“But we besides came present for precise selfish reasons,” helium said. “We came present to larn from you, to larn from your capableness of gathering specified a beardown democracy, portion being confronted with specified a level of threats and interferences.”

The French EP subordinate said the European Union is facing large-scale interference from authoritarian regimes, successful a veiled notation to Beijing.

During the property conference, Tsai said that her authorities would stock its firsthand experiences successful tackling challenges from China specified arsenic disinformation, cyber-attacks, and overseas infiltration.

“We anticipation to found a antiauthoritarian confederation against misinformation,” the president said. “The challenges we look are planetary successful nature.”

In 2015, Taiwan began to stock its expertise specified arsenic instrumentality enforcement and cybersecurity with planetary partners done Global Cooperation and Training Framework, a joint-led platform by the United States, Taiwan, and Japan.

“Taiwan is besides consenting to stock its acquisition successful combating disinformation with our European friends. This volition deepen our concern and assistance safeguard the escaped and antiauthoritarian mode of beingness we enjoy.”

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen (R) speaking adjacent to the subordinate of the European Parliament (EP) Raphael Glucksmann astatine the Presidential Office connected Nov. 4, 2021. (CNA/AFP via Getty Images)

Last week, Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu urged “freedom-loving countries” to enactment unneurotic against China, during a uncommon travel to Europe successful the mediate of heightened tensions betwixt Taipei and Beijing. The travel occurred amid a Taiwanese delegation signing memorandums of knowing with Czech officials to bolster ties successful cybersecurity and exertion cooperation.

Self-ruled Taiwan, which China claims arsenic its ain and has not ruled retired taking by force, does not person ceremonial diplomatic relations with immoderate European countries isolated from Vatican City.

“Our sojourn shows however Taiwan present is precise precocious connected the docket successful Brussels and successful each subordinate state,” Glucksmann told Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang astatine a gathering a time earlier.

On Oct. 21, The EP adopted the EU-Taiwan Political Relations and Cooperation report, by an overwhelming borderline with an support complaint of 86.3 percent, the second-highest support standing during the existent parliamentary term, according to Tasi, citing Taiwan’s ambassador successful the EU and Belgium.