Concurrent European Visits by Taiwanese and Chinese Foreign Ministers Highlight Shifting Dynamics
This week marks a rare instance of both the Taiwanese and chinese foreign ministers visiting Europe concurrently, a development occurring amidst beijing’s ongoing efforts to limit Taiwan‘s international diplomatic engagement. The visits underscore growing European interest in Taiwan and the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding the island.
Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung arrived in Prague on Thursday to attend the opening of an exhibition at the Czech National Museum. The exhibition features imperial Chinese artifacts loaned from Taiwan’s National Palace Museum. Czech Senate Speaker Miloš Vystrčil, who previously visited taiwan in 2020 – a move that drew strong condemnation from Beijing – was also present at the event. The Czech foreign ministry has not issued a comment on the visit.
The Czech republic, while officially recognizing Beijing, has been strengthening ties with Taiwan, citing shared concerns about external pressures – specifically drawing parallels between the threats posed by Russia to Europe and China to Taiwan.
taiwan’s foreign ministry stated that Lin’s European trip is focused on promoting the “Taiwan Culture in Europe Year,” a series of cultural events designed to “connect European and Taiwanese values” and encourage collaboration. The ministry has not disclosed whether Lin will visit other European nations.
Concurrently, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi begins a three-nation tour of Europe on Friday, with scheduled stops in Austria, Slovenia, and Poland.
China maintains that Taiwan is a province of China and rejects the island’s right to independent state-to-state relations, a position strongly disputed by the Taiwanese government. China’s foreign ministry has yet to respond to a request for comment regarding Lin’s visit to Prague.
