TAIWAN’S VICE-PRESIDENT BREAKS NEW GROUND WITH ADDRESS IN EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT
On 7th November at 3:30 PM (Brussels), Taiwan’s Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim gave an unprecedented address at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s Annual Summit in the European Parliament.
Attending IPAC’s Plenary Session with Taiwan’s Foreign Minister, the Vice President’s speech is the first-ever delivered by a senior member of the Taiwanese Government in a European legislature. Whereas senior Taiwanese government officials have spoken in foreign legislatures with which Taiwan has diplomatic relations, this has never happened in the European Parliament, and many other major democratic legislatures.
Speaking at the invitation of IPAC EU Co-Chairs Miriam Lexmann MEP (EPP) and Bernard Guetta MEP (Renew), the Vice-President’s speech formed the centre-piece of the fifth Summit of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, this year held in Brussels.
Vice President 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.”
Miriam Lexmann MEP said:
“The European Parliament has consistently argued for more dialogue with Taiwan. 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.”
Luke de Pulford, Executive Director of IPAC said:
“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.”
Photos by Octavian Carare.
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