In a bombshell op-ed on @lemondefr + @handelsblatt, ex German amb to China Volker Stanzel, MEP @bueti & China specialist @FGodement ask the EU to "adapt its one-China policy" regarding Taiwan, amid Beijing's shifting rhetoric towards military unification. handelsblatt.com/meinung/gastbe…
They ask EU to:
- engage in dialogue with all major political actors in Taiwan, including those holding the highest office
- advocate Taiwan's membership - or at least observer status - in WHO & other int'l orgs
- work internationally with partners from Taiwan in the global south
- enter into a dialogue on peace, security & stability w/ Taiwan
- reorganise critical supply chains to reduce reliance on China
- improve trade & econ relations with Taiwan
- support the establishment of a Taiwanese Mandarin satellite channel in Europe.
"Europe must adapt its one-China policy by making it clear to Beijing that respect for international rules and values is not an option," they say. "By continuing its one-China policy as before, Europe risks that Taiwan's citizens will be in the hands of the Communist Party"
The key, they say, lies not in recognising Taiwan's independence but status quo. "Europe's strategy cannot be revisionist. We support the status quo...Europe must insist that cross-strait relations respect Taiwan's right to exist and that any threats or use of force be excluded."
"Europe should make it clear to China that it would take serious risks if it decides to use force: It would risk an economic and political break with the democracies of Europe."
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