by Martin Banks
Speaking on Friday (7 November) Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim gave what has been hailed as an “unprecedented” address at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s Annual Summit in the European Parliament in Brussels.
She was attending IPAC’s plenary session with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister and the Vice President’s speech is the first-ever delivered by a senior member of the Taiwanese Government in a foreign parliament.
The pair had been invited to speak by IPAC EU co-chairs Miriam Lexmann (EPP group) and Bernard Guetta MEP (Renew group), both MEPs.
Her speech was the keynote address of the fifth Summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China which, this year,was held in Brussels.
It also comes at a time of heightened tensions across the Taiwan Straits with Taiwan saying it may build an air defence dome against "hostile threats."
Addressing a packed audience in Brussels, Hsiao said, “this means so much to the people of Taiwan. I’ve always felt a unique bond with IPAC.
“Europe has defended freedom under fire. And Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure.” “This summit is more than a European forum. It is a global moment.” “I stand here as a voice for a society deeply committed to the ideals that animate the parliaments of democracy around the world.” “Cross strait stability is not only a regional concern. It is a cornerstone of global prosperity. Despite being excluded from international organisations, Taiwan has stepped up. We contribute to humanitarian aid. We uphold global standards even when we are not allowed a seat at the table.”
“Taiwan matters not because we are a victim of coercion. But because the integrity of the international system and global prosperity depend upon a free Taiwan.”
“We don’t just want to survive. We want democracies to thrive.”
Further comment came from Miriam Lexmann, an EPP MEP from Slovakia, who said the European Parliament “has consistently argued for more dialogue with Taiwan.”
She added, “At a time of increased geopolitical tensions, we cannot afford to exclude 23 million Taiwanese people from a conversation about protecting freedom, human dignity and democracy in today’s world.”
Also commenting at the event, Luke de Pulford, Executive Director of IPAC, told participants that the IPAC is “deeply privileged to have provided a forum for this historic event.”
“As some countries are cowed by Beijing into excluding Taiwan, it is incumbent upon the rest of the world to push back, asserting the right to have legitimate discussions with Taiwan and its democratically elected representatives.”
The IPAC, on its website, says, “The People’s Republic of China (PRC) under the Chinese Communist Party is increasingly authoritarian at home and ever more assertive abroad.Developing a coherent response to the rise of the People’s Republic of China as led by the Chinese Communist Party is a defining challenge for the world’s democratic states.”
China still sees Taiwan as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing’s control - and has not ruled out the use of force to take the island.
However, Taiwan insists it is distinct from the Chinese mainland, with its own constitution and democratically-elected leaders. Taiwan has strong links to China, its biggest trading partner and many Taiwanese have business and family connections on mainland China. But over time, polls show that the number of people who identify as Taiwanese, as opposed to Chinese, has gone up.
By: N. Peter Kramer
