China and the European Union (EU) have found themselves at the center of a fresh diplomatic storm after Taiwan’s former representative to the United States, Hsiao Bi-khim, attended and spoke at a high-profile meeting of lawmakers in the European Parliament. The incident, which took place during the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (IPAC) summit in Brussels on November 7, 2025, has triggered a strong response from Beijing, highlighting the growing complexity of cross-strait relations and Europe’s evolving stance on Taiwan.
According to a statement released by the Chinese Mission to the EU on November 8, 2025, Beijing expressed its “strong indignation and firm opposition” to Hsiao’s participation, describing it as a serious breach of the one-China principle. The mission did not mince words, labeling IPAC an “anti-China organisation” and criticizing the European Parliament for allowing Hsiao and other so-called “Taiwan independence” figures to enter its building and engage in what China called separatist activities. The statement further asserted, “The Taiwan question concerns China’s sovereignty and lies at the core of its national interests, a red line that cannot be crossed.”
China’s protest was not limited to rhetoric. The mission called on Brussels to respect China’s core interests, urging the EU to stop supporting separatist activities, cease sending “wrong signals” to pro-independence forces, and take concrete steps to repair the damage done to China-EU political trust. The Chinese side warned that such actions undermine the broader stability of China-EU ties and interfere in Beijing’s internal affairs, reiterating that the one-China principle is not just a universally recognized international norm but the very foundation of China-EU diplomatic relations.
This diplomatic clash comes at a time when Europe’s attitude toward Taiwan has been undergoing what some call a “fundamental change.” At the European Values Summit in Prague, held on November 5 and 6, former German European Parliament member Reinhard Butikofer addressed this shift head-on. Butikofer, who previously co-chaired the European Green Party, remarked that many European decision-makers once saw Taiwan as a dependent client, worthy of support mainly due to its democratic values and limited trade ties with Beijing. However, he argued, recent years have brought about a sea change in this perspective.
Butikofer pointed to several catalysts behind Europe’s evolving view. “China’s crackdown on the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong was the catalyst in Europe’s realization that former Chinese leader Deng Xiaoping’s principle of ‘hiding your strength and biding your time’ no longer guided the leadership in Beijing,” he said. Instead, Butikofer argued, China has embraced an aggressive form of revisionism in its international dealings, as evidenced by its support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine—a move he contended has prolonged the conflict and altered the calculus for European policymakers.
Butikofer also highlighted Taiwan’s vibrant democracy and its significant contributions to the global community as factors prompting the EU to reconsider its approach. “Taiwan’s security is crucial to the security of the entire region and Europe itself,” he emphasized, urging Europe to move beyond its habit of viewing Taiwan solely through the lens of cross-strait relations. In his view, Europe should adopt a geopolitical framework to assess global politics, especially regarding the Taiwan Strait, and recognize Taiwan’s importance to regional and European security.
This shifting landscape is not without its risks. China’s recent actions near Taiwan have raised eyebrows in both Taipei and Brussels. As of early November 2025, the Civil Aviation Administration (CAA) of Taiwan reported that China had failed to provide any information about a new airport—Xiamen Xiangan International Airport—expected to open next year. Located less than 10 kilometers from Taiwan’s Kinmen County airports, the proximity has sparked concerns about flight safety and the possibility of Beijing exerting economic or logistical control over this sensitive region. Construction work on the airport is reportedly visible and audible from the Taiwanese side, underscoring the tension on the ground.
Back in Brussels, the IPAC summit that set off China’s protest brought together lawmakers and experts to discuss China’s growing global influence and human rights record. Hsiao Bi-khim’s presence was seen by many as a signal of Europe’s willingness to engage more directly with Taiwanese officials, despite China’s objections. The Chinese Mission’s statement, however, left no doubt about Beijing’s stance: “Such actions undermine China-EU political trust and interfere in Beijing’s internal affairs.”
The timing of these events is notable. While the diplomatic row was unfolding, Taiwan was also preparing for potential natural threats. On November 8, 2025, Taiwan’s Central Weather Administration (CWA) reported that Tropical Storm Fung-Wong was expected to strengthen into a typhoon and possibly impact Taiwan the following week. The storm, located over waters east of the Philippines, was forecast to accelerate and could reach the South China Sea, adding another layer of uncertainty to an already tense regional atmosphere.
Meanwhile, Taiwan’s own regulatory agencies were responding to everyday safety concerns. Three Taiwanese airlines—EVA Air, Uni Air, and Tigerair Taiwan—announced new restrictions on carrying Bluetooth earbuds and their charger cases in checked luggage, citing international aviation safety regulations. Although this development is unrelated to the broader diplomatic tensions, it highlights the constant balancing act Taiwan faces in managing both internal policies and external pressures.
For its part, the EU finds itself walking a tightrope. While European officials have increasingly voiced support for Taiwan’s democracy and expressed concern over China’s assertive moves in the region, the bloc remains cautious about provoking Beijing. The European Parliament’s decision to allow Hsiao Bi-khim and other Taiwanese figures to participate in its proceedings reflects a willingness to engage, but also exposes the EU to diplomatic backlash from China. As Butikofer put it, “Europe should abandon its stance of dealing with Taiwan as an outlier, and instead accept the nation’s importance to geopolitics and regional security.”
China’s response to the IPAC summit and Hsiao’s participation signals that Beijing is prepared to defend what it sees as its core interests, even at the cost of diplomatic friction with key trading partners in Europe. The Chinese Mission’s insistence on the inviolability of the one-China principle and its demand for concrete steps to repair political trust suggest that this issue will remain a flashpoint in China-EU relations for the foreseeable future.
As the dust settles from this latest diplomatic flare-up, both sides face difficult choices. Europe must decide how far it is willing to go in supporting Taiwan’s international engagement, while China weighs the risks of alienating a major economic partner. For Taiwan, the stakes are high—not just in terms of diplomatic recognition, but also in ensuring its security and maintaining its place in the global community.
With geopolitical tensions simmering and natural threats looming, the coming weeks will test the resilience and resolve of all parties involved. The world will be watching closely to see how Europe, China, and Taiwan navigate this complex and ever-evolving landscape.