Taiwan-German exchanges not to be affected by 'third parties': German MP

Taipei, May 26 (CNA) Exchanges between democratic societies should not be affected by outside interference, visiting German parliamentarian Till Steffen said Tuesday as he called on Taiwan and Germany to strengthen bilateral exchanges.

Steffen, chair of the German-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group, made the remark while meeting President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) at the Presidential Office.

Steffen said he noticed that China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday objected to his delegation's visit to Taiwan, but he believed that exchanges between democracies are normal and cannot be interfered with by any third party.

Taiwan-German relations have withstood the test of time and would not undergo any major change, the German lawmaker said, adding that there have not been any changes in the German government or the Bundestag's stance on Taiwan.

He noted, however, that there have been many new developments internationally, and that both Taiwan and Germany face threats from autocracies and can no longer fully depend on the United States.

In that context, Taiwan and Germany should deepen bilateral exchanges, especially since both sides face common challenges in strengthening national defense and social and economic resilience, he said.

Steffen said his delegation will pay close attention to a potential telephone call between Lai and U.S. President Donald Trump and Washington's decision on an arms sales package to Taiwan.

The package, estimated at US$14 billion, is now in limbo following a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping (習近平) earlier this month. Trump has since twice said he would speak with Lai about the issue, without mentioning Lai by name.

Lai said Taiwan and Germany share core values such as democracy, freedom and the rule of law, adding that closer cooperation among democratic partners is essential to uphold the rules-based international order.

He also thanked the German government and parliament for supporting Taiwan, citing the transit of a German naval vessel through the Taiwan Strait in 2024 and repeated backing for Taiwan's international participation.

The president also highlighted the expanded cooperation between Taiwan and Germany in trade and technology in recent years, citing TSMC's investment in Dresden as a milestone that will boost Taiwan-Europe industrial ties and the resilience of democratic supply chains.

According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Steffen's delegation includes parliamentary group vice chairs Markus Reichel of the Christian Democratic Union and Mandy Eißing of The Left.

During their visit that ends Saturday, they will meet with former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), National Security Council Secretary-General Joseph Wu (吳釗燮), Kuomintang Chairperson Cheng Li-wun (鄭麗文), and Taiwan People's Party Chairman Huang Kuo-chang (黃國昌), among others, MOFA said.