Europe’s Role in Defending Taiwan’s Sovereignty
As China’s coercive actions persist around Taiwan, the European Parliament in Strasbourg has issued a strong condemnation of Beijing’s military provocations. In a historic move, the vast majority of MEPs have voted in favor of Taiwan, marking a critical moment in EU-Taiwan relations. By passing a resolution denouncing China’s aggressive maneuvers, Europe has voiced a clear opposition to any unilateral alteration of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.
This vote—approved by 432 MEPs with only 60 opposing and 71 abstaining—underlines a collective stance against the distortions surrounding UN Resolution 2758, a document that, according to European lawmakers, Beijing has twisted to isolate Taiwan on the global stage. Passed in 1971, the resolution recognized the People’s Republic of China as the legitimate representative of China at the United Nations but did not explicitly address Taiwan’s status. However, Beijing has utilized it as a legal basis for Taiwan’s exclusion from international organizations. MEPs assert that only the democratically elected government of Taiwan has the authority to represent its people, rejecting any narrative to the contrary.
European support for Taiwan goes beyond a symbolic show of solidarity. The Europarliament called on the EU and its member states to champion Taiwan’s participation in global forums, including the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, Interpol, and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. These institutions play crucial roles that directly affect Taiwan’s well-being, and the parliament argues that the island’s exclusion from them is both unjust and counterproductive to international collaboration.
China’s recent military maneuvers, including exercises involving live ammunition in the Taiwan Strait and incursions into contested waters, have amplified the sense of urgency within Europe. In response, the European Parliament has recommended enhancing European maritime capacities in the Indo-Pacific. Such measures, however, have met resistance from Italy’s Five Star Movement and other left-leaning MEPs, who view the resolution as overly confrontational. Nevertheless, the coalition supporting Taiwan crosses ideological lines, encompassing parties from Italy’s Fratelli d’Italia to Germany’s Greens.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s President, Lai Ching-te, has affirmed Taiwan’s determination to maintain sovereignty over its territory, asserting that no external force should dictate its future. His words resonate as a tribute to Taiwan’s resilience—a stance shaped by decades of democratic progress and economic innovation despite constant geopolitical pressure. Taiwan’s identity and aspirations for peace stand as a counterpoint to Beijing’s tightening grip on the region. At a recent commemoration on the Kinmen Islands, Lai celebrated Taiwan’s enduring democratic legacy, paying homage to those who fought to protect freedom. Taiwan, he emphasized, will not yield, as its people recognize that defending democracy is a multigenerational effort.
For Europe, this moment reflects a broader shift in approach towards China. By standing with Taiwan, Europe signals a new phase in international relations, one where European values align firmly with democratic principles on the global stage. For EU, Taiwan’s defense must be something of pivotal importance.
In the meantime, recent reports reveal that China has managed to map 12 anti-ship missile systems within Taiwan, a move made possible by Chinese firms using satellite data and public images sourced from Taiwanese media and social media. In response, Taiwan’s Minister of Defense Wellington Koo has pledged to bolster operational security and conceal critical assets. Koo’s announcement came following the publication by Foreign Policy, which exposed the precise mapping carried out by a Chinese consulting firm. The revelation has intensified Taiwan’s resolve to safeguard its defenses, highlighting vulnerabilities that Beijing could exploit amidst ongoing geopolitical pressures.
As Xi Jinping pursues Beijing’s strategy of encircling Taiwan, known as the “anaconda strategy”—aimed at progressively isolating the island—he recently attended a BRICS summit in Kazan, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres. Observers note that UN alignment appears increasingly favorable to Beijing, compounding Taiwan’s precarious position. In this scenery, Russia and China are trying to strengthen their partnership, giving to the world, especially the west, a less isolated picture, creating appeal and opportunities through the BRICS.
While autocracies stand together, Europe cannot afford to leave Taiwan isolated, especially in a world where Beijing’s ambitions are ever-expanding. The European Parliament’s support is a step in the right direction, yet a stronger, more consistent commitment is essential. Relying solely on U.S. support may no longer be sufficient, particularly as the U.S. heads into an election cycle that could divert attention away from Taiwan’s predicament. With Kamala Harris and Donald Trump as frontrunners, Beijing is keenly monitoring the evolving political landscape in Washington, assessing who might hold the reins in the next administration.
Trump’s stance on China and Taiwan has only deepened uncertainties, especially for Europe. While he claims to champion U.S. interests with bold tariffs—promising a 200% tariff hike on Chinese imports in the event of aggression toward Taiwan—his public admiration for Xi Jinping, reiterated in interviews and rallies, has raised questions. This apparent ambivalence has generated concerns within the European Union about the reliability of the U.S. as a partner against Beijing’s designs on Taiwan.
For Europe and for Italy, this situation presents an opportunity to foster stronger ties with Taiwan. Going beyond symbolic gestures, there is a need for tangible economic and political cooperation. An economic partnership with Taiwan would not only provide Europe with a reliable ally in the tech sector, critical in areas like semiconductors, but would also reinforce shared democratic values. Europe’s approach must be bold, proactive, and unafraid of Beijing’s disapproval, embodying a commitment to democratic principles that transcends geopolitical pressure. By moving closer to Taiwan, Europe can strengthen its role as a global player and contribute meaningfully to regional stability in the Indo-Pacific.
In conclusion, if it’s indeed true that Taiwan has mastered the art of diplomacy over the years—navigating the challenges of limited international recognition—it must now also become adept in the realm of strategy to escape Beijing’s traps. While much progress has been made in technology and semiconductor cooperation between Taiwan and Baltic states, as well as Eastern European nations, there remains considerable room for deeper collaboration with Italy, Germany, France, and Spain. This engagement is not only possible but essential. Europe needs Taiwan, and Taiwan, more than ever, needs a stronger European partnership.
