The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) reiterated Tuesday that "only the people of Taiwan can determine its future," after the European Union's incoming ambassador to China indicated support for "peaceful reunification" in an interview with a Spanish newspaper.
Jorge Toledo Albignana, who previously served as Spain's ambassador to Japan, told La Vanguardia in an interview published Sunday that the EU would support "peaceful reunification" instead of independence for Taiwan.
Asked to comment on Albignana's remarks, MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (???) underlined Taiwan's right to self-determination, adding that it was "a sovereign and democratic country and has never been part of the People's Republic of China (PRC)."
It is unclear whether Albignana, who had been asked how the EU would react in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan, was reflecting official policy or speaking in a personal capacity.
The EU did not issue an immediate response to the incoming envoy's remarks.
Despite underlining the bloc's commitment to a "one China" policy, Albignana said that any resort to force by Beijing would result in the EU introducing "the same or even more serious measures" than those imposed on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.
During a previous phone call with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (??) on Sept. 28, 2021, the EU's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell stressed that the bloc had always had and would maintain a "One China" policy, without clarifying if this included support for reunification.
At the same time, Borrell said the EU and its member states had an interest in developing cooperation with Taiwan, a like-minded and important economic partner in the region, "without any recognition of statehood."
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel