Taiwan Foreign Minister Warns EU: Dependence on China Is a Threat to European Freedom

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung has warned the European Union that depending on Chinese suppliers puts the bloc’s freedom at risk, Reuters reported.

Lin made the remarks in a speech at the Warsaw Security Forum in Poland on Tuesday, ahead of an EU summit in Brussels where trade with China is the first item on the agenda.

“Because China’s authoritarian ideology is fundamentally incompatible with Europe’s democracy, dependence on China is not merely an economic risk, it’s a threat to European freedom and sovereignty itself.”

“A Europe controlled through its supply chains would be a Europe that had surrendered part of its liberty.” EU leaders meet from Thursday as Brussels tries to reduce the bloc’s trade deficit with China and limit what many see as the risk of becoming too dependent on Beijing in sensitive sectors.

Lin said trade with Taiwan benefits Europe. “Taiwan and Europe share the values that matter most – democracy, freedom, human rights and the rule of law.”

“The Taiwan model has helped power innovation and prosperity in Silicon Valley, and it can do the same for Europe too.”

China routinely denounces visits by Taiwanese officials abroad and refuses to speak to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, calling him a “separatist.”

Reuters reported that Taiwan’s foreign ministers rarely visited Europe in the past because of Beijing’s objections. Lin has gone several times since taking office more than two years ago, including to Poland.

Taiwan has sought closer ties with Europe, especially since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Europe has its own disputes with China over trade imbalances and what it sees as Chinese support for Russia. Poland, like most countries, has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Taiwan’s democratically elected government rejects Beijing’s claim of sovereignty over it and says it has a right to engage with the world on equal footing.