Brussels, Belgium – Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim delivered a historic address before an annual international meeting of lawmakers at the European Parliament on Friday, Nov. 8 — the first for a senior Taiwanese government official before a foreign parliament without formal diplomatic ties.
Speaking at the plenary session of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China’s (IPAC) alongside Taiwan’s foreign minister, Hsiao said her presence at the European Parliament marked a turning point for democratic collaboration amid rising security threats from Beijing.
“This means so much to the people of Taiwan… I’ve always felt a unique bond with IPAC,” she said.
“Europe has defended freedom under fire. And Taiwan has defended democracy under pressure,” the Taiwan official added.
Hsiao said Taiwan is not only a regional stakeholder, but a critical pillar for global security architecture.
“This summit is more than a European forum. It is a global moment,” she said.
“Cross-strait stability is not only a regional concern. It is a cornerstone of global prosperity,” she added.
Hsiao warned of a rapidly expanding playbook of hostile influence targeting democracies worldwide.
“We are facing expanded coordinated threats and challenges — military pressure, cyber attacks and information disinformation campaigns, economic leverage used to extract political compliance, infrastructure sabotage, physical and digital, foreign interference targeting unity and public trust,” she said.
“These threats originate from state-based actors seeking to expand influence by dividing, destabilizing and discrediting democratic systems,” Hsiao added.
She also confirmed Taiwan is ramping up military spending in response.
“In light of intensifying military and security pressure from China in our region, Taiwan is committed to increasing our defense investment, targeting 5% of GDP by 2030,” she said.
European lawmakers said the speech signaled a major geopolitical shift.
“The European Parliament has consistently argued for more dialogue with Taiwan,” said Miriam Lexmann, member of the European Parliament.
“We cannot afford to exclude 23 million Taiwanese people from a conversation about protecting freedom, human dignity and democracy,” she said.
Luke de Pulford, IPAC executive director, said democracies cannot allow Beijing to dictate relationships.
“As some countries are cowed by Beijing into excluding Taiwan, it is incumbent upon the rest of the world to push back,” he said.
Philippines angle
Hsiao also noted Taiwan’s growing convergence with Manila — especially amid maritime tension and increasing strategic pressure in the region.
“We are neighbors, we should work together. We share a lot of economic interests and also our shared commitment to stability in the region,” she told NewsWatch Plus in a brief interview on the sidelines of the summit.
