September 17, 2024
No. 307
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung met with a Social Democratic Party (SPD) delegation from the German Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs on September 16. The delegation included Mr. Michael Müller and Mr. Andreas Larem. The two sides exchanged views on joint efforts by democratic partners to counter authoritarian expansion, Germany’s China and Indo-Pacific strategies, the recent transit of German naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, the European Union’s de-risking policy, and other issues.
Minister Lin stated that with China and other authoritarian countries persistently challenging the rules-based international order, democratic partners should work in solidarity to enhance economic and social resilience. He reiterated Taiwan’s willingness to share with European partners its experience in countering China’s hybrid warfare, information warfare, and economic coercion. Minister Lin also affirmed the recent transit of German vessels through the Taiwan Strait so as to safeguard freedom of navigation, adding that he was pleased that Germany and the EU were implementing de-risking policies. Noting that an investment project in Dresden by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company had set a new milestone in bilateral cooperation, Minister Lin expressed the hope that Taiwan and Germany would steadily bolster economic and trade cooperation and jointly strengthen economic resilience.
Mr. Müller and Mr. Larem strongly concurred on the importance of democratic partners standing in unity against authoritarian expansion. Calling for enhanced cooperation among democracies in such domains as the economy, technology, and culture, they said they looked forward to deeper substantive collaboration between Taiwan and Germany.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs François Chihchung Wu also hosted a luncheon for the delegation on the same day. During the luncheon, Deputy Minister Wu pointed out that China’s authoritarian expansionist ambitions were not purely a cross-strait issue but rather represented a grave challenge to the international order. He said that Taiwan sincerely hoped to work with like-minded European partners to contribute to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
This was the first visit to Taiwan by all delegation members. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs looks forward to Taiwan and Germany building on their strong existing foundations to further deepen bilateral ties and jointly advance global peace, stability, and prosperity. (E)