7 months ago
China Urges Europe to Block Taiwanese Politicians
China asked some European countries not to let Taiwanese politicians visit.
They said it was because of their own rules and that letting Taiwanese officials in could hurt their relationship with China.
The Chinese officials mentioned visits to many European countries and said these visits were bad for their relationship with the EU.
European countries said they decide who can visit based on their own rules.
Taiwan said their visits were not about China and that China should not interfere.
A professor said China is trying to make European countries worried about their relationship with China.
China urged European governments to block Taiwanese politicians from entering their countries, citing border laws and warning against crossing Beijing’s 'red lines'.
The efforts took place in November and December, following recent visits by senior Taiwanese figures to Europe.
Chinese officials cited EU laws and regulations, including the Schengen Borders Code, to argue that allowing Taiwanese officials to enter Europe would harm a country’s relations with China.
European countries, including Norway, Finland, and the UK, stated that visa decisions are based on their own laws and immigration rules.
Taiwan’s foreign ministry said its officials’ visits to Europe were 'entirely unrelated to China' and condemned China’s coercive measures.
- Who
- Chinese officials and Taiwanese politicians
- What
- China urged European governments to block Taiwanese politicians from entering their countries
- Where
- Europe, including Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Norway, Finland, UK
- When
- November and December
- Why
- To prevent Taiwanese officials from seeking official contact and exchanges, citing border laws and China's 'red lines'
Key facts
- Countries Involved
- Belgium, Czech Republic, Poland, Netherlands, Italy, Australia, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia, Ireland, Norway, Finland, UK
- Chinese Arguments
- Cited Schengen Borders Code, Vienna Convention, UN example
- Taiwanese Officials
- President, Vice President, other officials
- European Responses
- Visa decisions based on own laws and immigration rules
- Taiwan's Response
- Visits unrelated to China, condemned coercive measures
- Expert Opinion
- Beijing's interpretation of EU laws is bold and coercive
- Timeframe
- November and December
Quotes
Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy
Assistant professor at Taiwan’s National Dong Hwa University
“Beijing’s application and interpretation of this regulation is bold.”
firstpost.com
“It is Beijing’s interpretation that EU-Taiwan ties threaten EU-China ties. This is not at all the perception or reality in Europe.”
firstpost.com
Taiwan's foreign ministry spokesperson
Spokesperson for Taiwan's foreign ministry
“On the contrary, China’s use of various coercive measures against other countries and its threats of force against Taiwan, which undermine global and Indo-Pacific peace and stability and threaten the direct interests of the EU, is the real force damaging European international relations.”
firstpost.com
“China’s actions should be condemned.”
firstpost.com
Chinese officials
Chinese officials who made the diplomatic approaches
“China hopes the EU institutions and European countries will, out of the larger interests of China-EU relations and bilateral relations, make the political decision of refusing the entry of Taiwan’s so-called president or vice president (former ones included),”
firstpost.com
Sources
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