Isolated Diplomatically by China, Taiwan Is Finding Friends in Europe

Voice of America
Date: October 18, 2019
By: Ralph Jennings

TAIPEI, TAIWAN – Leaders in Europe are offering diplomatically isolated Taiwan a sudden chorus of

support this year, giving the democratic Asian island welcome international exposure and a morale boost during its spiraling struggles with China.
 
On Oct. 7, the Prague city council cut off a 3-year-old sister-city relationship with Beijing after China asked his city to uphold a policy that binds Taiwan and China under the same flag. This week lawmakers from France, Germany, the U.K. and the European Parliament launched the Formosa Club to strengthen relations with Taiwan, including trade and investment ties, the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Taipei said.
 
National governments around Europe are still expected to keep diplomatic relations with China instead of Taiwan. Beijing doesn’t allow both at once, and European countries value their links with the massive Chinese economy.    [FULL  STORY]