中文
Lakeside of Riyue Tan, or the Sun Moon Lake, in Nantou County, southeast China's Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua]
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Not long after "Taiwan independence" figure Hsiao Bi-khim engaged in separatist activities at the annual meeting of the "Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China" (IPAC) at the European Parliament building in Brussels, former Taiwan regional leader Tsai Ing-wen spoke at the so-called Berlin Freedom Conference in Germany on Monday, urging Europe to support Taiwan's so-called "democracy."
"We are also willing to bear our share of the burden, and do not take our security partners' support for granted," Tsai made the remarks after bragging about Taiwan's achievements in the chip and semiconductor industries. Apparently, Tsai, after years of framing up the Chinese mainland as an "authoritarian regime," has turned to another tactic – trading Taiwan's high-tech sectors for Europe's support.
Tsai's attempt will only end in vain.
To begin with, the question of Taiwan is not about democracy versus "autocracy"; it is about sovereignty versus secession, about unity versus division. Proponents of such engagements in Europe often cloak their actions in the language of "democratic dialogue" and "freedom of speech." This is a gross mischaracterization.
The one-China principle is not just an international consensus, but a basic norm governing international relations. The 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation explicitly stated that Taiwan, a Chinese territory taken by Japan, was to be returned to China. These internationally binding documents were key elements of the post-World War II order and confirmed Taiwan's legal status as an inseparable part of China.
Resolution 2758, adopted by the UN General Assembly in 1971, resolved once and for all the question of the representation of the whole of China, including Taiwan, by the People's Republic of China, in the United Nations as a political, legal, and procedural issue.
Therefore, the Taiwan question is purely an internal affair of China – this means no external force has the right to interfere. Providing a platform to separatists is a blatant interference in China's internal affairs, a violation of the UN Charter, and a betrayal of the basic norms of international law.
Scenery of the scenic spot of Riyue Tan, or the Sun Moon Lake, in Nantou County, southeast China's Taiwan. [Photo/Xinhua]
In addition, Europe should have the wisdom to make the right choice between long-term prosperity and those instant so-called benefits that Tsai promised.
Shouting "democracy" and "freedom," Hsiao and Tsai are attempting to drag European politicians onto their "Taiwan independence" chariot.
The nature of the IPAC tells. Rather than an official organ of any government or a recognized international body, the IPAC is a self-formed platform manipulated by a clique of anti-China politicians who view China's peaceful development as a strategic "threat" and thus are increasingly using the Taiwan question as a geopolitical tool to contain China.
The ultimate purpose of IPAC is not "democracy" as hyped. Instead, it seeks to disrupt China's development and undermine its stability by playing the "Taiwan card." Taiwan separatists, such as Hsiao and Tsai, attempt to capitalize on the European political stage by speaking at the European Parliament building and the so-called Berlin Freedom Conference, seeking to counter the Chinese central government, not for the sake of "democracy," but for their own selfish secessionist ambitions.
By allowing its meetings to be used for separatist performances, Europe lends an undeserved veneer of "legitimacy" to what is essentially a politically motivated group. This action sends a dangerous signal to the secessionist forces in the Taiwan region, emboldening them to believe they have international support for their reckless agenda, thereby increasing the risk of miscalculation and conflict in the region.
Fueling the flames of separatism is pushing the Taiwan region toward tensions, with consequences that would be catastrophic for all, including Europe. It is crucial for the EU as a whole to recognize the profound damage such actions cause to mutual trust and cooperation.
China and Europe are partners with intertwined economies and shared responsibilities on global issues, from climate change to non-proliferation. Allowing the narrow, confrontational agenda of a few separatists to hijack this crucial relationship is an act of profound irresponsibility.
True respect and constructive engagement require adhering to the one-China principle, not undermining it. "Taiwan independence" separatists must cease provocations, and European political bodies must prevent being used as a tool for their separatist agendas. The alternative – a path of continued provocation – leads only to confrontation, a destination that serves no one's interests. The choice for peace, stability, and mutual respect is clear.
