Bucking China, Europe begins to back Taiwan
European lawmakers and Taiwanese officials have repeatedly engaged with one another in recent weeks, suggesting a subtle shift is underway where European countries are becoming more willing to interact with the island in defiance of China.
- engage with : (이해하고 좋은 관계를 유지하도록 사람을)상대하다, ~와 관계/접촉을 유지하다
- defiance : (공개적으로 하는) 반항[저항]
The European Parliament sent its first-ever formal delegation to Taiwan last week, shortly after it overwhelmingly backed a resolution calling for stronger ties. Such formal diplomatic links have long been avoided by European nations wary of provoking Beijing, which opposes contact with Taiwan and claims the island as its territory.
- first-ever : 생전 처음의, 사상 최초의
But China’s increasingly assertive authoritarianism has fed distrust, and some distaste. Concerns over China’s crackdown on Hong Kong, its handling of the pandemic and its intimidation tactics in Taiwan appear to have prompted a willingness in Europe to re-evaluate its diplomacy.
What’s next: Taiwan’s ultimate goal is a bilateral investment agreement with Europe. And the worldwide shortage of semiconductor chips has highlighted Taiwan’s role as an indispensable node in the global supply chain.
However: Europe’s economic interests in China are huge, and the focus on Taiwan is still a minority effort. Europe has shown no intention of abandoning its longstanding policy of recognizing Beijing’s position that there is only one Chinese government.