April 2, 2025
On April 1, the spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS) released a statement regarding China’s large-scale military drills targeting Taiwan. The statement pointed out that the drills are increasing cross-strait tensions and reiterated that peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait are of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity. The European Union (EU) has a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and opposes any unilateral actions that change the status quo by force or coercion. The EU calls on all parties to exercise restraint and avoid any actions that may further escalate tensions, which should be resolved through cross-strait dialogue.
This is the third time the EEAS has expressed timely concern over China’s unilateral actions increasing cross-strait tensions. The previous two times were responses to China’s Joint Sword military exercises last year. The White Paper for European Defence – Readiness 2030 released this March by the European Union points out that China has been rapidly expanding its military capabilities and intensifying its political, economic, military, and cyber and cognitive measures to coerce Taiwan. It emphasizes that the shifting Taiwan status quo could have profound economic and strategic consequences for Europe.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung affirms and welcomes the EU’s continued demonstration of staunch support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait through concrete action. MOFA also stresses that Taiwan, as a key country in the Indo-Pacific region and a responsible member of the international community, will continue to strengthen cooperation with the EU and other allies to safeguard freedom and openness in the Indo-Pacific region, uphold the rules-based international order, and together protect regional and global peace, stability, and prosperity.