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‘Milestone’ or risky stunt? Taiwanese debate No 2 leader’s speech at European Parliament
Supporters call Hsiao Bi-khim’s secret address a diplomatic win but critics label it a show to ‘deceive voters’
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Lawrence Chungin Taipei
A surprise appearance at the European Parliament by Taiwan’s No 2 leader Hsiao Bi-khim has stirred debate at home over whether the move signals a substantial breakthrough in ties with Europe – or if it was just a risky publicity stunt.
Supporters hailed the event as a success for Taiwan’s outreach to Europe, while critics called it little more than a rented hall performance.
In a late-night statement on Friday, the office of William Lai Ching-te said the Taiwanese leader had personally instructed Hsiao to travel to Brussels to speak at the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC), held inside the European Parliament complex.
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Accompanied by the island’s foreign minister, Lin Chia-lung, Hsiao delivered an address titled “Taiwan: A Trusted Partner in a Volatile World”.
It was the first time a top Taiwanese official had spoken in the parliament building, though not to the parliament itself.
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IPAC, a cross-party network of lawmakers advocating tougher China policies, described Hsiao’s address as a “breakthrough speech before global lawmakers”, while Lai’s office said it showed Taipei could “overcome obstacles despite China’s pressure”.
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