During a visit to Taiwan, the Swiss-Taiwan parliamentary group called for a peaceful solution to the conflict with China over the democratic island republic. “It is absolutely crucial that the existing differences and tensions between Taiwan and the People’s Republic are resolved peacefully and through dialogue,” said group co-chair Fabian Molina.
Everything else is “unacceptable”, said SP national councilor Molina. The Russian offensive war in Ukraine has shown how fragile the rules-based multilateral world order is. Cooperation to strengthen world peace, democracy and multilateralism must be expanded. Authoritarianism and war must not prevail.
In this context, the visit of the parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan will take place. Dialogue is “more important today than ever before”. Switzerland wants to expand relations with Taiwan.
Molina also told Radio SRF that Taiwan is not only Switzerland’s fifth most important trading partner. Taiwan is a thriving democracy in Asia and it is vital that democracies support each other. “Switzerland must not be left behind.”
The co-chair of the parliamentary group, Nicolas Walder of the Greens, also spoke out during the meeting in favor of better integration of Taiwan in international organisations. The delegation will be received in Taiwan by senior officials, including the head of parliament and the minister of foreign affairs.
Speaking on short message service Twitter, Walder thanked Taiwan’s president for the “warm welcome and 90 minutes of intense discussion to evoke our common love for freedom and democracy.”
The visit by the Swiss-Taiwan parliamentary group drew criticism from the Chinese embassy in Bern. There was also a bomb threat against Taiwan’s metro company Taoyuan Metro in connection with the trip. Strangers threatened to attack the metro line between the airport and the central station. As a result, security measures were increased.
Molina told SRF that the group has every confidence in Taiwan’s security forces. Canceling the visit was never in question. It is not right that China is trying to dictate Swiss foreign policy.
Given the existing tensions between China and Taiwan, it was not a good time for a visit by the parliamentary group, GLP national councilor Jürg Grossen told SRF. You don’t have to travel halfway around the world to show solidarity. He hopes the visit will be successful and not provoke China.
Such official contacts from other countries with Taiwan, which has a population of 23 million, always cause resentment in Beijing. The communist leadership considers the island part of the People’s Republic and threatens to conquer it. Taiwan, on the other hand, has long considered itself independent. Tensions had increased recently.
The trip of the Swiss-Taiwan parliamentary group will last until February 10. (aeg/sda/dpa)
Soource :Watson
I am Amelia James, a passionate journalist with a deep-rooted interest in current affairs. I have more than five years of experience in the media industry, working both as an author and editor for 24 Instant News. My main focus lies in international news, particularly regional conflicts and political issues around the world.
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