by Martin Banks
Taiwan’s ambassador to the EU and Belgium has hit out at what he calls “distorted claims” about the island by China. Ambassador Roy Chun Lee of the Taipei Representative Office in the European Union and Belgium, was speaking on Wednesday.
He told an audience in Brussels that he saw the ongoing conflict with China as a “fight for democracy” and that he believed there was “growing support” among the international community for Taiwan. The diplomat also raised concerns about alleged “political interference” in Taiwanese elections and a “growing threat” to the island.
He was speaking an event to showcase the island’s 113th national day which commemorates the start of an uprising on 10 October 1911 which ultimately led to the establishment of the Republic of China, commonly called Taiwan, on 1 January 1912.
Dr Lee told the audience, “We must do all we can to maintain our democratic way of life although this is not an easy job.This is in the interests of not just Taiwan but everyone.” His comments come just days after Chinese leader Xi Jinping again repeated his pledge to achieve “reunification” with Taiwan. Speaking on the eve of Communist China’s 75th birthday, the Chinese leader spoke of his determination to achieve the “complete reunification of the motherland.”
Other keynote speakers at the Brussels event,including members of the Belgian parliament, also raised concerns about rising tensions in the Taiwan Straits and called for increased support for Taiwan. The comments from both sides come amid a recent upsurge in tensions between China and Taiwan.
Taiwan’s defence ministry spoke last week about a renewed surge of Chinese military activity around the island and live fire drills, accusing Beijing of policy instability that presented a serious challenge to its neighbours. Democratically governed Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territory, has complained of stepped-up Chinese military activity over the past five years. Taiwan’s government rejects China’s sovereignty claims.
The two sides have been ruled by separate governments since 1949, after the end of the Chinese civil war. The communists took power in Beijing and founded the People’s Republic of China on October 1, 1949, while the defeated nationalists fled to Taiwan, moving the seat of the Republic of China from the mainland to Taipei.
Meanwhile, the European Commission has approved, under EU State aid rules, a €5 billion German measure to support European Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (‘ESMC’) in the construction and operation of a microchip manufacturing plant in Dresden. ESMC is a joint venture between Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (‘TSMC’), Bosch, Infineon, and NXP.
The measure will strengthen Europe’s security of supply, resilience and digital sovereignty in semiconductor technologies, said an EC spokesman. He said the measure will also contribute to achieving the digital and green transitions. Germany notified the Commission of its plan to support ESMC’s project to build and operate a new semiconductor production facility in Dresden. The project aims at serving the demand for automotive and industrial applications.
By: N. Peter Kramer
