In a recent report, the European Commission expressed concerns about China’s aggressive posture towards Taiwan and recommended that the EU enhance exchanges with Taipei, as reported by the Taipei Times on Friday.
The report, titled “Safer Together: Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness,” evaluates the geopolitical challenges facing the EU and offers recommendations for decision-makers within the bloc’s institutions and member states through 2029, according to the Taipei Times.
Former Finnish President Sauli Niinisto, who serves as a special advisor to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and authored the report, stated, “China’s rise and the rapid increase in its comprehensive national power are profoundly altering the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific” region, as per the Taipei Times.
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He further elaborated, “Beyond its long-held ambitions to take over Taiwan, which it considers indispensable … China’s coercive foreign and security policies toward neighbours, including India, the Philippines and Vietnam, are undermining regional stability,” creating “a risk of escalation” that could have both local and global ramifications, Niinisto said in the report.
The report warned, “The potential economic and security impact of Chinese aggression against Taiwan or in the South China Sea would be staggering for Europe and the world.” It noted that European and global supply chains could face severe disruption if China were to attack Taiwan or escalate tensions through coercive measures, such as the seizure of outlying islands, selective quarantines restricting traffic to and from Taiwan, or even a full-blown blockade.
The report emphasized, “Given our deep economic ties with China, including asymmetric dependencies in key sectors, as well as supply chains from Taiwan (in particular in advanced semiconductors), this would lead to a drastic shock causing ripple effects around the world.” It added, “The security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic region are closely interconnected with those of the Indo-Pacific.”
In response, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the EU’s ongoing focus on peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the bloc’s readiness to strengthen collaboration and exchanges with Taiwan.
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