EU declares position on Taiwan-China issue for 1st time at summit
ROC Central News Agency
07/01/2023 03:32 PM
Brussels, June 30 (CNA) European Union leaders took a stance on the cross-Taiwan Strait issue on Friday for the first time, saying during a summit that they are against any unilateral moves to change the status quo.
The East and South China Seas are of strategic importance for regional and global prosperity and security, and the EU is concerned about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the leaders said in the conclusions issued after the two-day European Council meeting.
"The European Council opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. It reconfirms the EU's consistent 'One China policy,'" according to the conclusions.
In addition, the EU expressed concerns about how China handles human rights issues, including forced labor, the treatment of human rights defenders and minorities, the situation in Tibet and Xinjiang, and the honoring of its previous commitments related to Hong Kong.
In the conclusions, the EU reiterated its multifaceted policy approach towards China, which it said was simultaneously a partner, competitor and systemic rival.
With that in mind, the EU said, it will continue to engage with China to tackle global challenges and will encourage China to take more ambitious action on climate change, biodiversity, pandemic preparedness and humanitarian assistance, among other issues.
The EU said it will seek to ensure a level playing field with China, so that their trade and economic relationship can be balanced, reciprocal and mutually beneficial.
Meanwhile, the leaders said, the 27-member bloc will continue to reduce critical dependencies and vulnerabilities on China, including on its supply chains, and will "de-risk and diversify where necessary and appropriate."
(By Tien Hsi-ju and Lee Hsin-Yin)
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