Taiwan is actively seeking closer ties with Europe. The goal, therefore, is to strengthen democratic resilience and expand cooperation. Recently, Deputy Foreign Minister Francois Wu met with a delegation from the European Parliament to explore new opportunities. He emphasized Taiwan’s strong democratic system and diverse society.
Moreover, Wu highlighted Taiwan’s advances in technology, healthcare, sports, and culture. However, Taiwan faces ongoing Chinese coercion and gray-zone harassment. Consequently, he stressed the need for democratic countries to unite and defend shared values. For example, Taiwanese companies have significantly reduced investments in China—from 84% a decade ago to just 7% recently. This shift reflects Beijing’s increasing use of economic pressure against Taiwan.
The European delegation, led by EU lawmaker Anders Vistisen, visited Taiwan with clear priorities. Vistisen explained that their group focuses on boosting Europe’s competitiveness and supporting sustainable environmental and energy policies. As one of the largest political groups in the European Parliament, they want to influence public policy and decision-making more effectively.
During the visit, the delegation discussed various important topics with Taiwanese officials. They examined Taiwan’s political and economic development, as well as the changing geopolitical dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. In addition, strengthening Taiwan-EU trade relations was a major focus. Furthermore, the delegation showed strong interest in Taiwan’s technological innovations and future collaboration potential.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed its commitment to deepen cooperation with the European Parliament. It plans to continue building democratic resilience and expanding Taiwan’s network of like-minded partners. Taiwan views Europe as an essential partner in upholding democratic values and fostering shared prosperity.
In summary, Taiwan’s push for closer ties with Europe reflects a strategic approach. It aims to form strong alliances based on democracy, trade, and technology. Ultimately, this approach will help Taiwan better navigate regional challenges and geopolitical tensions. Clearly, Taiwan plays a vital role as a resilient and forward-looking democracy on the global stage.
