Taiwanese Vice President Bi-Khim Hsiao recently seized a rare opportunity within the European Parliament complex in Brussels to advocate for stronger trade and security collaboration between Europe and Taiwan. Addressing an international conference focused on China policy, Hsiao framed stability across the Taiwan Strait not merely as a regional issue, but as an essential element sustaining the global economic order. She urged international lawmakers to resist any aggressive attempts to unilaterally alter the current status quo.
The event, held on November 8, 2025, sparked considerable attention despite not being a formal address to the full European Parliament. As the European Union adheres to its long-standing “one-China policy,” it lacks official diplomatic recognition of Taipei. Beijing is expected to strongly protest the platform provided to a high-ranking Taiwanese official within an EU institution, reiterating its opposition to what it views as separatist activities.
Bolstering Resilience Through Technology and Security
During her appearance, Vice President Hsiao extended invitations to parliamentarians, including those from Germany and Spain, to expand cooperation, particularly concerning trusted supply chains and artificial intelligence (AI). She strategically linked Taiwan’s world-leading semiconductor manufacturing capabilities directly to Europe’s industrial resilience and future technological independence.
Furthermore, Hsiao connected Taiwan’s frequent exposure to cyber intrusions and alleged underwater cable sabotage to the hybrid threats that European nations have faced since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. This effectively positioned Taiwan’s specific security challenges within a broader Euro-Atlantic security context, emphasizing shared vulnerabilities.
The Brussels conference was organized by the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), a coalition of approximately 50 legislators from two dozen countries dedicated to coordinating policy toward Beijing. Organizers maintained discretion regarding the program due to security concerns, following reports of attempts by alleged Chinese operatives to intimidate Hsiao during a separate 2024 visit to the Czech Republic when she was vice-president-elect.
Navigating the Diplomatic Tightrope
Though EU governments, mirroring the stance of most nations including the United States, do not hold formal diplomatic ties with Taipei, they maintain extensive commercial relationships and consistently express opposition to the use of force across the Strait. This stance is critical as China, which claims Taiwan as its territory, regularly conducts military drills in the surrounding air and sea space.
The geopolitical tension is escalating as Taipei strengthens its defense initiatives, notably President Lai Ching-te’s plan to accelerate the integrated air-defense “T-dome” system and increase military spending targets toward 5% of GDP by 2030.
Analysts recognize that Europe faces a delicate balance between strategic considerations and massive commercial interests with mainland China. Experts, such as Ben Bland of Chatham House, have argued that a conflict involving Taiwan would carry significant consequences for Europe due to the island’s central role in global electronics and semiconductor supply chains. They suggest that pragmatic cooperation could deepen without abandoning non-recognition principles.
Taiwan and China have been governed separately since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949. Against this historical backdrop, the EU’s approach to parliamentary engagement remains highly scrutinized. Future EU steps will likely emphasize dialogue and de-escalation, calibrated strictly within the “one-China” framework, as any increased visibility for senior Taiwanese figures is expected to meet intense opposition from Beijing, injecting friction into EU-China relations. Maintaining regional stability through careful engagement remains the paramount goal for Brussels.