European Parliament Vice President Nicola Beer on Thursday expressed an interest in visiting Taiwan as soon as travel conditions permit to show support for the nation amid growing threats from China.
Beer made her interest known in a video conference with Representative to the EU and Belgium Tsai Ming-yen (蔡明彥).
In the virtual meeting, Beer voiced her support for Taiwan and Hong Kong, while a pre-recorded speech by Deputy Legislative Speaker Tsai Chi-chang (蔡其昌) was broadcast, in which Beer was invited to Taiwan.
In an e-mailed response to the Central News Agency later on Thursday, Beer’s office said that she would visit Taiwan “as soon as the COVID-19 context allows this.”
During the virtual meeting, Beer said that Europe needs to support Taiwan’s democracy and that events in Hong Kong have shown that Europe must not wait to take action.
Now is the time for the EU to adjust its relations with Taiwan, especially as calls for the EU to review its China policy are growing and its threat against Taiwan is mounting, which has put the “status quo” across the Taiwan Strait in danger, she said.
Increasing dialogue with Taiwan is part of the EU’s efforts to help maintain peace across the Strait, so stepping up Taiwan-EU ties is in line with the European Parliament’s duties, she said.
Concrete action should be taken to initiate negotiations on a Taiwan-EU free-trade agreement and support Taiwan’s bid to gain observer status in the WHO, she said.
She also advocated more regular exchanges between the legislature and the European Parliament, and boosting cooperation in technological innovation.
A staunch supporter of Taiwan, Beer last month signed a joint letter with other European Parliament members to WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus that called for Taiwan’s participation at the World Health Assembly.
Beer also said that continuous attention must be paid to China’s military ambitions, particularly in the South China Sea, and its provocative diplomacy in the international community.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
SIX SUBSIDIES: The monthly allowance for older farmers is to increase to NT$10,000, and NT$5,000 is to be given to homemakers under the national pension system, Lai said The government is to implement major welfare policies for disadvantaged groups, including raising the monthly allowance for older farmers to NT$10,000 and providing homemakers with NT$5,000 per month, President William Lai (賴清德) said yesterday. Lai made the remarks during a visit to Wangling Temple in Chiayi County, saying that the planned increases were being introduced amid economic growth and an increase in tax revenue. Touting a policy, in which the government plans to provide a monthly allowance of NT$5,000 for every child under the age of 18 in a bid to address Taiwan’s low birthrate, Lai said that if received for the
RSS