In a significant address to international lawmakers in Brussels, Taiwan’s Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao urged the European Union to strengthen security and trade relations with Taiwan while supporting its democratic governance in the face of escalating threats from China. Speaking at a China-focused conference in the European Parliament building, Hsiao emphasized the critical importance of maintaining peace in the Taiwan Strait for global stability and economic continuity. She warned against unilateral changes to the status quo by force, a stance that resonated strongly with the audience. Although Hsiao did not formally address the entire EU Parliament—given the bloc’s lack of formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan—her visit was seen as a bold move likely to provoke Beijing’s ire. Hsiao highlighted the shared democratic values between Taiwan and the EU, calling for deeper collaboration on trusted supply chains and AI technology. She also drew parallels between Taiwan’s cyberattacks and undersea cable disruptions by China and the hybrid threats faced by European nations since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Hsiao’s speech underscored Taiwan’s resilience in building democracy under pressure, while urging the EU to forge a reliable technology ecosystem rooted in trust and transparency. Her visit was part of a conference organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, attended by lawmakers from over two dozen countries. The event was held amid heightened security concerns following reports of Chinese agents attempting to intimidate Hsiao during her visit to the Czech Republic earlier this year. Hsiao remains steadfast in her commitment to advocating for Taiwan’s interests on the global stage, despite Beijing’s persistent claims over the island and its military encirclement.
Taiwan’s vice president calls for closer EU ties in rare address to international lawmakers
