Estonia has allowed Taiwan to open a representative office in Tallinn, despite China’s opposition, in line with EU policy.
During a recent statement, Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna expressed the importance of a unified policy of the European Union in their relations with China. He emphasised the need for broad cooperation with like-minded partners, particularly transatlantic allies, as this will benefit all democracies.
The European Union regards China as a partner, a competitor, and a rival, and all these aspects need to be considered in their policy towards China.
Following Lithuania’s example, Estonia recently became the second Baltic republic to establish de facto diplomatic relations with Taiwan. Lithuania allowed Taiwan to open a de facto embassy in Vilnius, its capital, in 2021 as part of its new values-led foreign policy to support freedom and democracy worldwide.
On November 8, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China (ROC), Jaushieh Joseph Wu, gave a speech at the International Center for Defense and Security in Estonia. During his speech, he urged the free world to support Taiwan in deterring China’s authoritarian threats.
China claims Taiwan as its own under the one-China policy, which not only prevents countries from establishing economic relations with the ROC but also campaigns to convince countries in diplomatic relations with the ROC to cut them. Whenever any country tries to improve relations with Taiwan, the People’s Republic of China responds with threats of significant economic damage. In short, Beijing wants to impose its will on the international community.
Conversely, Taiwan is an advanced country in many aspects: industrial, research and innovation, health, and financial sectors. In addition, it is a democratic country with a free political life, while communist China is a totalitarian dictatorship. Cooperating with ROC brings only benefits.
However, the PRC doesn’t limit its “bullying” attitude on the Taiwan issue. Any discussion on the human rights situation in China encounters the fierce reactions of the Chinese officials.
Chinese authorities are committing genocide in the Xinjiang region against the Uyghurs, applying assimilation policies against Kazakh and other non-Chinese Han minorities in north China, and oppressing the Tibetans and any free voice, including journalists, lawyers, and human rights activists. The communist regime also persecutes democratic and human rights defenders in Hong Kong.
The fact that China unofficially supports Russia in its war against Ukraine and Chinese aggressive movements in the South China Sea and against Taiwan reveals China’s true conception of peaceful foreign policy.
In addition, China’s undermining actions in Europe represent a threat to European stability. Several leaders put the issue of human rights on the table when they meet Chinese officials. The EU has started to refer to Beijing as a “systemic rival” and an “economic competitor” in 2019.
Many EU member states realise that China, more than a partner or a simple competitor, is an enemy. Thus, some national diplomacies are carefully moving towards improving their relations with Taiwan.
EU member states have differences over China.
EU member states have varying approaches towards China. There is a consensus to create more self-sustained supply chains and not over-rely on China. However, there is no agreement on other topics. The Baltic states and Poland have adopted a more aggressive approach towards China, while France and Germany are trying to promote a more moderate stance.
Recently, the European Union imposed sanctions on Chinese companies, accusing them of supporting Russia. After a two-year hiatus, the EU reopened talks with China about human rights last February. Before the European Council met in June 2023, human rights groups sent a letter asking EU leaders to adopt a concerted and strategic approach to challenge the Chinese government’s policies, practices, and narratives that undermine human rights. Additionally, the European Parliament is actively condemning China’s repressive policies.
Italy’s decision to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) significantly blows China’s efforts to increase influence within the EU. Recently, Italy’s prime minister announced that her country would withdraw from BRI because only the Chinese side drew benefits.
BRI represents President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy flagship. BRI successfully helped China to penetrate Western democracies and mainly the EU. Although other EU member states have also joined the BRI, Italy was the first G7 member to do so.
Moreover, Italy continues to deepen cooperation with Taiwan in the economic, trade, culture, education, science, technology, and tourism domains. In the spring, it was announced that the ROK would establish the Milan Office of the Taipei Representative Office in Italy to enhance substantive bilateral relations further. On October 25, 2022, EVA Air launched a nonstop service between Taipei and Milan.
Beijing’s threats
China’s foreign ministry has urged Estonia to refrain from allowing Taiwan to establish official organisations. According to reports, the Chinese ambassador to Estonia, Guo Xiaomei, threatened to leave the country if Taiwan opened a representative office in Estonia during a meeting with the chairman of the Estonia-China parliamentary group, Toomas Kivimagi.
The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Wang Wenbin, urged the Estonian government to uphold the one-China principle and preserve the political foundation of bilateral relations.
According to Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Estonia, like many other European Union countries, is willing to accept the establishment of Taipei’s non-diplomatic economic or cultural representations in Tallinn.
Estonia regards China as a partner, competitor, and rival, as stated by the foreign minister in a statement sent to Euronews. Estonia does not recognise Taiwan as a separate state, and as part of the ‘One China Policy,’ it does not seek to establish political relations with Taiwan. However, Estonia believes it is necessary to strengthen ties in various fields such as the economy, education, culture, relations between NGOs, and other similar domains.
Tsahkna said Estonia supports Taiwan’s participation in international life in areas of global importance, such as the fight against pandemics and Taiwan’s attendance at the World Health Assembly. Relations of this kind do not conflict with the One China Policy, added Tsahkna.
“We also consider it crucial to protect our fundamental values, including democracy and human rights. We underline this to the representatives of China at every meeting,” stressed Tsahkna.
Taiwanese Minister highlighted similarities between Estonia and Taiwan
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the ROC, Joseph Wu, delivered a speech at the International Center for Defense and Security during his six-day tour of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The tour aims to enhance communication and strengthen Taiwan’s relations with the three Baltic states.
In his speech, Wu highlighted the similarities between Taiwan and Estonia, including the two countries’ histories of becoming democracies at similar times, their current experiences dealing with authoritarian neighbours, and their mutual support for Ukraine.
The Minister also expressed his appreciation to Estonia for its support of Taiwan and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding ties with like-minded partners in all possible aspects.
The day before, he gave a lecture at Riga Stradins University titled “Latvia and Taiwan: On the Road of Democracy”. He discussed the possibility of Taiwan collaborating with Latvia and other democratic nations to establish economic partnerships that would benefit both parties.
