No room for Chinese aggression in Taiwan: European Parliament VP

Taoyuan, July 19 (CNA) There is "no room for Chinese aggression in democratic Taiwan," visiting European Parliament (EP) Vice President Nicola Beer said Tuesday, adding that it is time for Europe to stand with Taiwan as both are members of a "family of democracies."

Upon her arrival at the Taoyuan International Airport for a three-day-trip, Beer said she was honored to be visiting Taiwan in her official capacity as one of the three EP vice presidents.

"Taiwan's bloom is Europe's bloom," she said, adding that Europe will not turn a blind eye to the Chinese threat toward Taiwan.

Beer, who is from Germany and an EP member since 2019, said Europe was "late" for Hong Kong, referring to the fact that the special administrative region of China that had enjoyed a high degree of autonomy has seen political and civil liberties curtailed by the authorities in recent years after a pro-democracy protest movement occurred in 2019.

"We won't be late for Taiwan," she added.

Meanwhile, as Europe is now witnessing the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, Beer said "we do not want to witness war in Asia."

"Now is the moment to stand firm on the side of Taiwan. We are a family of democracies," she added.

Beer is making her first trip to Taiwan during which she will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), Premier Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌), Minister Without Portfolio Audrey Tang (唐鳳), and Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Tai-san (邱太三), according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

MOFA hailed Beer as an important friend of Taiwan, touting her efforts to boost European Union-Taiwan ties and support Taiwan's participation at the World Health Assembly and other global bodies.

According to MOFA, Beer is the first EP VP to visit Taiwan in that official capacity. Previous EP VPs have also visited Taiwan but as EP members and not as EP VPs.

The EP vice president will also explore the feasibility of forging supply chains for two-way high-tech cooperation on her first visit to Taiwan, which concludes on Thursday, MOFA said.