European Parliament Challenges US To Recognize Taiwan’s Independence

The European Parliament emphatically stepped into the Taiwan controversy even as the Biden administration continues to vacillate and demonstrate weakness. Two resolutions this week confirmed that the democratic island is not subject to the whims of Communist China.

Members agreed that neither Taiwan nor the People’s Republic of China are governed by the other.

The Parliament continued, asserting that the Taiwanese people may only be represented in international politics by their democratically elected government.

Since the defeated Nationalists fled to the island at the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, Beijing has sought reunification. Despite Taiwan thriving culturally and economically, it lives under the constant threat of invasion from the mainland.

Under President Xi Jinping, China regularly declared its intentions to take back the island — by force if necessary.

Recognition by the European Parliament is a giant step toward global acceptance of Taiwan’s legitimacy. This is a much stronger stance than that of the U.S., which officially recognizes the “One China” policy under which the island is part of the Communist mainland.

And the parliamentary votes were not close. The totals on the two resolutions were 338-86 with 122 abstentions and 350-91 with 96 abstentions.

These votes approved both annual reports, which for the first time addressed the growing question of Taiwan.

In a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the group “highly affirmed Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.” The parliament further “strongly” condemned Beijing’s continuing military posturing against Taiwan and rejected any change to the regional “status quo.”

China’s claims to the island democracy were soundly rejected, and the communist government’s refusal to rule out military action against Taiwan was criticized.

Unlike the U.S. and the “One China” policy, the European Parliament called on member nations to “engage in closer cooperation with Taiwan.” It called on member states to actively support the country’s engagement in international organizations.

And not merely as a subordinate of China.

The security and defense policy report urged a greater presence in the South China Sea to counteract Beijing’s growing militarization of the disputed waters. These actions, the report said, risk the stability of the region.