EU declares position on Taiwan-China issue for 1st time at summit

• European Union leaders took a stance on the cross-Taiwan Strait issue on 30 Jun for the first time, saying during a summit that they are against any unilateral moves to change the status quo.
• The East and South China Seas are of strategic importance for regional and global prosperity and security, and the EU is concerned about growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, the leaders said in the conclusions issued after the two-day European Council meeting.
• “The European Council opposes any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion. It reconfirms the EU’s consistent ‘One China policy,'” according to the conclusions.
• In addition, the EU expressed concerns about how China handles human rights issues, including forced labor, the treatment of human rights defenders and minorities, the situation in Tibet and Xinjiang, and the honoring of its previous commitments related to Hong Kong.
• In the conclusions, the EU reiterated its multifaceted policy approach towards China, which it said was simultaneously a partner, competitor and systemic rival.
• With that in mind, the EU said, it will continue to engage with China to tackle global challenges and will encourage China to take more ambitious action on climate change, biodiversity, pandemic preparedness and humanitarian assistance, among other issues.

External Link : https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202307010006