Taiwan's Vice President Hsiao Emphasizes Global Participation Rights at European Parliament

Taiwan's determination to engage internationally highlighted after historic speech in Brussels.

Upon returning to Taiwan from a trip to Brussels, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim stated that the people of Taiwan deserve the same opportunities to participate in the international community as all global citizens. This conviction, she explained, fuels the government's efforts to secure Taiwan's international recognition, despite numerous difficulties and challenges.

Vice President Hsiao made these remarks at Taoyuan International Airport after attending the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China's (IPAC) Annual Summit at the European Parliament in Brussels. During her visit, she delivered a significant speech titled "Taiwan: A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World."

"Taiwan has consistently encountered hardships, unfair treatment, and setbacks. Nothing has been easy," Vice President Hsiao acknowledged. "However, we have never wavered because we firmly believe that the Taiwanese people, like all global citizens, are entitled to the opportunity to participate in the international community."

She added, "Thanks to the dedication and support of the Taiwanese public, we remain committed to navigating these ongoing hardships and challenges, progressing one step at a time."

Referencing her address, Vice President Hsiao reiterated that Taiwan, as a vital partner in the global reshaping of supply chains and a responsible member of the international community, will continue to gain the support of like-minded nations.

She expressed gratitude to IPAC for its sustained support for Taiwan and for underscoring the importance of peace in the Taiwan Strait.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Vice President Hsiao's speech, the first delivered by a Taiwanese vice president at the European Parliament, was met with a standing ovation from over 150 international attendees, including lawmakers from Europe, the United States, the Indo-Pacific, and Africa.

Vice President Hsiao's visit was not publicly announced by the Presidential Office and came as a surprise to many. Earlier in the week, she had been in Taipei, receiving a United Nations delegation.

When questioned by CNA about the timing of Vice President Hsiao's departure for Brussels, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs declined to provide comment.

China has consistently sought to limit Taiwan's international engagement, obstructing its participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Civil Aviation Organization.

In a report by the Czech news outlet iRozhlas in June, it was revealed that the Chinese embassy in the Czech Republic had allegedly planned a traffic incident targeting Vice President Hsiao's motorcade during her visit to Prague in March of the previous year. This visit was her first to the European country after her election in January. The report, quoting Petr Bartovský, director of the Czech military intelligence service, stated that "the Chinese civil secret service had attempted to create the conditions for the implementation of a demonstrative kinetic action against a protected person," though the plan was ultimately not carried out.