The EU’s new chief ambassador to Beijing has argued that it is “essential” for Communist China to “rule the world,” and that the EU would support the “reunification” of Taiwan with the mainland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In an interview with the Spanish newspaper La Vanguardia, ambassador Jorge Toledo Albi\u00f1ana expressed what appears to be the most favourable attitude toward the Chinese Communist Party from an EU diplomat in years, directly contradicting other statements on Taiwan’s sovereignty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe EU does not defend the independence of Taiwan, but the peaceful reunification. We believe that there should be only one China,\u201d Albi\u00f1ana said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The ambassador’s remarks were however contradicted by EU Parliament Vice President Nicola Beer, who visited Taipei this week as one of the most senior EU officials.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cTaiwan\u2019s bloom is also Europe\u2019s bloom. We won\u2019t have a blind eye on China\u2019s threats to Taiwan. Europe was late for Hong Kong, we won\u2019t be late for Taiwan,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThere is no room for Chinese aggression in democratic Taiwan. For the moment, we witness war in Europe; we do not want to witness war in Asia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albi\u00f1ana went on to say that the EU sees China as a “partner” and that it is “essential and necessary for China to rule the world,” adding that it will be critical to collaborate with Beijing on issues such as the Wuhan virus, the “climate crisis,” and Iran’s nuclear weapons programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The newly appointed ambassador also argued against decoupling the European economy from China.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Albi\u00f1ana continued, \u201cChina\u2019s exports to Europe continue to grow. Chinese foreign trade continues to grow. That is why the disengagement would cause a cataclysm. Despite the ongoing deglobalisation, the world is tremendously intertwined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe depend on each other,\u201d the ambassador said.<\/p>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
The EU’s new chief ambassador to Beijing has argued that it is “essential” for Communist China to “rule the world,” and that the EU would support the “reunification” of Taiwan … <\/p>\n