European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech on EU-China relations at the European Policy Center, a think tank in Brussels, Belgium, on the 30th.

(Taken from von der Leyen Twitter)

[Reporter Yang Chengyu/Taipei Report] European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen delivered a speech on EU-China relations at the European Policy Center, a think tank in Brussels, Belgium, on the 30th. Lithuania Taiwan representative office and so on.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded today (30th), thanking the EU for repeatedly echoing the positions of the G7, the US, Japan, the UK and France, and other summits and important international talks. Take this place as an example, criticizing China for using its economic and trade power to impose economic coercion on other countries.

Von der Leyen said that China has taken a tougher stance on its surrounding areas and displayed its force in the South China Sea, the East China Sea and the border with India, which directly affects the EU partners and their interests.

The EU emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and stated that Asia is the fastest growing region in the world. Any action that weakens the stability of the region will affect global security, free trade and the interests of the EU in the region.

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Von der Leyen also pointed out that China has not only increased its military posture, but also strengthened disinformation and economic and trade coercion policies, and deliberately asked other countries to comply. Other European companies have seen retaliatory measures, or seen from the sanctions imposed on MEPs, officials and academic institutions for expressing their views on China's actions.

We also see that EU member states have to do more to deal with China's intolerable behavior in their societies.

And these are showing that China has become more authoritarian internally and more daring externally.

Von der Leyen believes that the way to deal with China should start with strengthening the international system, and cooperate with partners on global issues such as trade, finance, climate, sustainable development, and health.

To this end, we must strengthen the institutions and systems that allow countries to compete and benefit from mergers. Maintaining stable diplomatic relations with China and smooth communication channels are also crucial.

Von der Leyen also emphasized that decoupling from China is neither feasible nor in the interest of Europe.

EU-China relations are not "black and white", and neither is the response.

Therefore, she emphasized that attention should be paid to de-risking rather than decoupling, which is one of the reasons why she will visit China with French President Macron; "We do not want to cut off economic, social, political or scientific exchanges with China."

Regarding the EU-China Comprehensive Investment Agreement (CAI), she said that the world and China have undergone tremendous changes in the past three years; in view of the broader China strategy, the EU must reassess the CAI.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Taiwan, as a similar partner of the EU, supports the maintenance of supply chain security and the global liberal and democratic order, and will continue to strengthen mutual beneficial and substantive partnerships with the EU and its member states on the basis of deep bilateral relations. relations, unite and strengthen the global democratic camp, and defend common core values.