Despite China's Warning, European Parliament Delegation Visits Taiwan
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The Chinese embassy in Brussels had previously warned that a visit to Taiwan by Members of the European Parliament would “undermine the healthy development of China-EU relations."
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European Union
Despite Chinese warnings, a 7-member European parliamentary delegation led by Raphaël Glucksmann, a French MP on the Chinese sanctions list, is visiting Taiwan.
A delegation from the European Parliament arrived in Taiwan on Wednesday as part of an effort to strengthen ties with the island despite Chinese warnings.
The Chinese embassy in Brussels had previously warned that a visit to Taiwan by MEPs would "harm China's core interests and undermine the healthy development of China-EU relations."
During the three-day trip, the seven-member delegation led by French MEP Raphael Glucksmann will meet with Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen and other top officials, according to the island's foreign ministry, which describes it as the first "official" delegation from the European parliament.
The visit comes during high tensions between Taiwan and China on last March, China [the People's Republic of China (PRC)] imposed sanctions on 5 European Union citizens, including Glucksmann, for "gross interference" in its internal affairs, and for "flagrantly violating international law."
PRC was angered, in October, by Taiwan foreign minister's Eastern Europe trip.
Xi: a peaceful reunification can be realized
Earlier, Chinese President Xi Jinping pledged that a complete "peaceful reunification" with Taiwan "will be and can be realized."
"Realising national reunification by peaceful means best serves the interests of the nation as a whole including our brethren in Taiwan," mentioned Xi in a speech marking the 110th anniversary of the 1911 revolution that ended millennia of imperial rule and led to the founding of the Republic of China.
Xi warned that "Taiwan independence is the biggest obstacle to the reunification of the motherland and a serious hidden danger."
He also warned against foreign interference in Taiwan after a Pentagon official confirmed US special operations forces have been discreetly training Taiwanese troops for months.
