On 24 May, 25 Co-Chairs of Europe’s Formosa Club issued a joint statement, extending congratulations to President Lai Ching-te and Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim for their successful inauguration and conveying deep concern about China’s military drill around Taiwan which started on 23 May.
The Formosa Club’s statement highlights that there were a total of 51 delegations from all over the world that attended the inauguration ceremony, demonstrating support for Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. During his inaugural address, President Lai also reaffirmed Taiwan’s democratic values and emphasized his commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. However, China’s unprovoked two-day military drill, which commenced only three days after the new Taiwanese government took office, has starkly escalated regional tensions.
In the statement, the Formosa Club affirms that there is a strong international consensus that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are indispensable to global security and prosperity. China has repeatedly threatened Taiwan’s democracy, unilaterally disrupted the cross-strait status quo, and undermined peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific. The timing of China’s military drill once again exposes China’s deliberate suppression and campaign of intimidation against Taiwan’s democratic process. The Club’s statement urges China to stop unilaterally undermining the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and to refrain from activities that escalate regional tensions.
The Formosa Club also takes the opportunity to underscore Taiwan’s positive contributions to global welfare, including health, while facing ongoing intimidation from China. The statement calls on the WHO to prioritize the well-being of all, and reconsider inviting Taiwan to meaningfully participate in this year’s 77th World Health Assembly.
In his inaugural address, President Lai stressed that peace is priceless, and war has no winners. Facing China’s ongoing military intimidation, the Taipei Representative Office in the EU and Belgium expresses heartfelt gratitude to the Co-Chairs of the Formosa Club for their strong support and their call for China to show restraint from disrupting regional peace and stability. Taiwan will continue to safeguard the values of freedom and democracy, and demonstrate our resolve of presenting a democratic Taiwan to the world.
