Taiwan's envoy says ties with Lisbon warming despite bill setbacks

Paris, Jan. 10 (CNA) Despite the failure of six Taiwan-related bills in Portugal's parliament, ties between Taipei and Lisbon are showing signs of progress, Taiwan's envoy to Portugal said Friday.

All six motions concerning Taiwan, including proposals to establish a Portuguese representative office in Taiwan, were rejected by lawmakers in Lisbon in a plenary vote Friday. It followed a debate on Wednesday, which marked the first time Portugal's parliament had substantively discussed the issue under the speaker's chairmanship.

The proposals were put forward by four parties: The Liberal Initiative (IL) submitted two motions, including one calling for the establishment of a representative office in Taiwan and another urging the government to correct what it described as improper administrative and institutional treatment of Taiwan.

Similar proposals were introduced by the People-Animals-Nature party. The Left Bloc proposed strengthening relations with Taiwan while respecting Portugal's diplomatic ties with China, while the far-right Chega party called on the government to play a mediating role in easing tensions between Beijing and Taipei.

Asked to comment on the result, Taiwan's representative to Portugal Chang Ya-kuang (張亞光) told CNA that the outcome, though falling short, "somehow surely shows that Taiwan-related issues are gaining greater attention in Portugal's Assembly of the Republic."

Chang said she was also grateful that some lawmakers chose to abstain rather than vote against the proposals, viewing it as a gesture of support. While the motions were ultimately rejected, she said the heightened visibility of Taiwan-related issues and growing cross-party engagement carried positive significance.

She added that mainstream media in Portugal has begun paying greater attention to Taiwan over the past year, citing extended coverage by outlets such as Observador as another encouraging sign.

In a phone interview, IL lawmaker Rui Rocha said the proposals were based on "common sense" and built on "a pragmatic approach." He noted that Portugal and Taiwan already maintain economic ties, mutual investment, tourism exchanges and expatriate communities in both countries.

"We shouldn't deny the reality, and we should create the right environment to this kind of relationships that are built in reality," Rocha said.

Stressing Taiwan's importance in global industries, such as semiconductors, and pointing to its dynamic economy and historical links with Portugal, Rocha said strengthening ties was "not a matter of geopolitics," but rather a matter of interest for the people of Europe, Portugal and Taiwan.

He acknowledged that Portugal remains more cautious than many other European countries, most of which already maintain representative offices in Taiwan. Describing Portugal's stance as "over cautious," Rocha said it was inconsistent for Lisbon to host a Taiwanese representative office while not establishing one in Taipei.

Rocha emphasized that the IL would continue to raise Taiwan-related proposals in the future, saying parliamentary debate on the issue remains essential and that Portugal's approach could change over time.