The European Parliament has condemned China’s ongoing military provocations against Taiwan and firmly rejected any unilateral changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait. Members of Parliament (MEPs) have also recognised that UN Resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan. Consequently, China’s coercive measures to achieve unification are seen as contradictory to international law. MEPs warned that China’s attempts to use force or coercion will not be accepted and provoke a strong response.
In a resolution adopted on Thursday with 432 votes in favour, 60 against, and 71 abstentions, the Parliament condemned China’s unwarranted military exercises on October 14 and its continued military provocations against Taiwan, emphasising that the military buildup is altering the power balance in the Indo-Pacific region.
The resolution, initiated and led by MEP Miriam Lexmann (EPP, Slovakia), also calls on the EU and its member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in relevant international organisations, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, Interpol, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Additionally, it urges the UN Secretariat to grant Taiwanese nationals and journalists access to UN premises for visits, meetings, and news-gathering activities, which they are currently denied due to Chinese intervention.
“Allowing the Chinese Communist Party to continue distorting UN Resolution 2758 and turning a blind eye to the increased military exercises around Taiwan threatens global peace and security. We must stand up for the truth, freedom and international law,” Lexmann emphasised.
Misinterpretation of the UN position
Parliament strongly rejected China’s attempts to distort history and international rules, emphasising that UN Resolution 2758 does not take a position on Taiwan. It opposed China’s ongoing efforts to block Taiwan’s participation in multilateral organisations. It urged the EU and its member states to support Taiwan’s meaningful involvement in international bodies such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. MEPs also call on the UN to grant Taiwanese nationals and journalists the right to access its premises.
The ECR Group, which co-sponsored the resolution, has consistently advocated for Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, especially those related to pandemics, health, and civil aviation security.
“In the 1970s, with hopes of stability and peace, the People’s Republic of China was granted a seat at the UN, opening the door to unprecedented economic and technological development. Beijing has seized this opportunity, benefiting from its close ties with the West,” said Mariusz Kamiński (ECR, Poland).
“However, through its current actions, such as its support for Russia in its aggression against Ukraine and its aggressive expansion in the Indo-Pacific region, Beijing is failing to fulfil its obligations as a member of the Security Council under the UN Charter. Taiwan is a reliable and proven partner that has built a relationship of trust with us over the years,” Kaminski added.
Commitment to the ‘One China’ policy
MEPs said the EU reaffirms its commitment to the ‘One China’ policy, the political foundation of EU-China relations. The text emphasises support for initiatives that promote dialogue and confidence-building. MEPs strongly condemned remarks made by the Chinese President, stating that the People’s Republic of China will never give up its right to use force regarding Taiwan. They argued that using coercive measures to achieve unification violates international law.
MEPs highlighted that only Taiwan’s democratically elected government can represent the Taiwanese people in international matters and expressed their concerns about China’s use of hostile disinformation aimed at undermining trust in Taiwan’s democracy and governance. “China’s economic coercion against Taiwan and EU countries is as unacceptable as it is against WTO rules. Why the EU should not shy away from working with Taiwan but rather step it up,” Svenja Hahn (Renew, Germany) posted on X.
MEP Hahn emphasised that strengthening economic ties is essential for resilience and peace. It is time for democratic partners to enhance economic cooperation and build a stronger alliance in the face of authoritarian expansion.
Concerns about China’s increasing aggressive behaviour
MEPs say China’s increasingly aggressive behaviour, in particular in its own neighbourhood, such as the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, poses a risk to regional and global security. The EU and its member states should improve their maritime capacities in the region. Parliament also voiced concerns about China and Russia’s renewed commitment to strengthen their military ties further, condemning the Chinese supply of equipment to Moscow.
