Fired-Up China-Taiwan Diplomatic Battle in Europe

Chinese Foreign Minister "Caution Against Individual Countries Challenging the 'One China' Principle"
Taiwan Foreign Minister "Authoritarian States Disparage Democratic Systems with False Information"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] The diplomatic battle between China and Taiwan against Europe has begun. As Wu Zhaoxie, Taiwan's Foreign Minister, visited Slovakia and the Czech Republic, Wang Yi, China's Foreign Minister, countered by visiting Greece, Serbia, Albania, and Italy.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to Chinese media including the state-run Xinhua News Agency on the 28th, Foreign Minister Wang visited Greece on the 27th, met with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and held a bilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Nikos Dendias.

During the meeting with Minister Dendias, Wang said, "Investment in the Port of Piraeus in Greece is a symbolic project of the Belt and Road Initiative and a symbol of mutually beneficial cooperation." He added, "We will help Greece develop the Port of Piraeus into a world-class port through cooperation."

In response, Minister Dendias said, "The Port of Piraeus is a successful model of cooperative investment between Greece and China, and Greece is satisfied and proud of the port's construction." He further stated, "Greece believes in China's limitless future and hopes to continue cooperation with China in various fields such as shipping, shipbuilding, and energy."

Minister Wang requested Greece's participation in the Beijing Winter Olympics. Wang said, "China is ready to present a safe and wonderful Winter Olympics to the world," and added, "The politicization of sports distorts the Olympic spirit, so boycotts and similar actions must be rejected."

Wang particularly stated, "Individual countries should be wary of movements that challenge the 'One China' principle and undermine political mutual trust between China and Europe." Although Wang did not explicitly mention 'Taiwan,' his remarks are interpreted as referring to Taiwan Foreign Minister Wu Zhaoxie's visits to Slovakia and the Czech Republic.

Chinese media are also paying attention to Wang's remarks. The Global Times reported that the EU Parliament passed a resolution last week to strengthen contact with Taiwan, and that Wang embarked on a tour of four EU countries at the time when an EU parliamentary delegation is scheduled to visit Taiwan next week.

Chui Hongjian, Director of the China Institute of International Studies, said, "Central and Eastern Europe cannot tolerate becoming a stage for Taiwan separatists," and predicted, "Wang's visit to the four countries will offset the negative influence of the European Parliament."

Ryu Zhuokui, Senior Researcher at the European Studies Institute of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said, "Since the Taiwan issue is a core interest of China, it is necessary to clearly convey China's position and gain support from regional partners."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

One day before Minister Wang, Minister Wu arrived in Europe and on the 26th (local time) attended an event hosted by a local think tank in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, where he pointed out, "During the COVID-19 period, authoritarian countries (China) continuously disparaged democratic systems with false information."

He added, "Taiwan and Slovakia share values of freedom, rule of law, and human rights," and said, "Ideologically close partners should strengthen multifaceted cooperation based on the current favorable foundation."