July 6, 2024
The German Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs recently adopted a resolution on deeper cooperation with Indo-Pacific partners to address global challenges. Proposed by the governing traffic light coalition comprising the Social Democratic Party, Alliance 90/Greens, and the Free Democratic Party, this was the first resolution passed by the committee recognizing the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and opposing any unilateral change to the cross-strait status quo. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) sincerely thanks the German Bundestag for its staunch support for Taiwan.
The resolution pointed out that European and Indo-Pacific security were closely linked and that German involvement in Indo-Pacific security affairs was commensurate with German interests and those of the European Union (EU). The Bundestag also expressed concern over tensions in the South and East China Seas, the Taiwan Strait, and the region. It further opposed any unilateral change to the status quo across the Taiwan Strait, stating that any alteration to the relations between China and Taiwan must occur peacefully and by mutual agreement.
Furthermore, the resolution especially recognized a previously established Taiwan-Germany platform for civil society exchanges for having advanced bilateral dialogue. It also supported Taiwan’s participation in international bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and backed engagement between Taiwan’s civil society and the United Nations and its specialized agencies. In addition, it called for stronger Taiwan-EU economic and trade relations, collaboration on industrial supply chains, and exchanges with Taiwan in such areas as education and research.
The German government coalition agreement of November 2021 was the first such accord to include friendly content supporting Taiwan’s substantive participation in international organizations and stressing that the cross-strait status quo could only be altered in a peaceful manner and by mutual agreement. In 2022, when Germany held the Group of Seven (G7) rotating presidency, the joint statements of the G7 foreign ministers and leaders both reiterated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Moreover, the Bundestag adopted resolutions in 2022 and 2023 endorsing Taiwan’s involvement in WHO. The passage of this most recent resolution by the Bundestag Committee on Foreign Affairs calling for cross-strait peace and stability highlights the unanimous support of the German executive and legislative branches of government for Taiwan’s substantive participation in international organizations as well as their concern over China’s threats in the Taiwan Strait and disruption of peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.
MOFA reiterates that Taiwan will steadfastly promote the Four Pillars of Peace action plan put forward by President Lai Ching-te to strengthen economic resilience and enhance defense and deterrence capabilities. Taiwan will also work with like-minded international partners to preserve peace, stability, and prosperity across the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific.