EU support for Taiwan and foreign firms in the face of China’s efforts to change the country’s website designation to “Taiwan, China” is welcomed by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs May 30.
The commitment shown by the EU in recent remarks underscores the importance both sides place on safeguarding shared principles, the MOFA said. China’s politically motivated attempts to clamp down on the rights of firms to conduct international business in a free and open manner jeopardize these hard-earned universal values, the ministry added.
According to the MOFA, a spokesperson for the EU’s European External Action Service said May 30 that the EU respects the rights of private companies and individuals outside China to manage their own online content within the law and expects others to do so, too.
“China’s attempts to regulate such online content aims at curtailing the freedoms that foreign businesses must continue to enjoy,” the spokesperson said. The EU "is committed to continuing to develop its relations with Taiwan and to supporting its democracy.”
Earlier this month, the ministry said, China wrote to Montreal-headquartered International Air Transport Association and its member airlines between January and April demanding they change references to Taiwan as a country on their websites.
Officials stationed in the nation's embassies and representative offices abroad are investigating the matter and conveying the government’s determination to safeguard Taiwan’s designation and uphold its dignity and sovereignty, the MOFA added.
It is sincerely hoped, the ministry said, that all affected parties will stand together and squarely face down China’s intimidation tactics. (SFC-E)
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