Kiri

Newsletter (Issue 006/ 2025) ~Published by Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia~ Website: https://www.roc-taiwan.org/lv/index.html FB: Taipei Mission in the Republic of Latvia Twitter: @Taiwan_Latvia E-mail:[email protected] Date: July 10, 2025 1 EU expressing concern over Taiwan Strait status quo during 13th EU-China Strategic Dialogue On July 2, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi co-chaired the 13th EU-China Strategic Dialogue in Brussels. When elaborating on Taiwan in a statement issued after the meeting, High Representative Kallas expressed the EU’s opposition to any unilateral attempts to alter the status quo of the Taiwan Strait, including by force or coercion. In addition, the European Union voiced concerns about human rights in China as well as hybrid threats in Europe coming from China. In response to each of China’s three large-scale military drills targeting Taiwan since May 2024, the European External Action Service (EEAS) promptly issued statements expressing concern. In these statements, the EEAS stressed that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait were of strategic importance for regional and global security and prosperity and that the European Union had a direct interest in the preservation of the status quo across the Taiwan Strait.. 2 European leaders expressed concern about the threat from China and supported the status quo in the Taiwan Strait at Shangri-La Dialouge in Singapore 1. Kaja Kallas, EU High Representative Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, reiterated that the EU opposes any unilateral use of force or coercion to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait; 2. French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned that double standards should not be adopted for the security of Taiwan and Ukraine, and emphasized that Europe and the Indo-Pacific have common security interests; 3. German Chief of the General Staff Carsten Breuer, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson and Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans all emphasized the 1  importance of security in Asia and the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the concern about the threat from China; 4. British Chief of the General Staff Tony Radakin emphasized the importance of maintaining UNCLOS in the Indo-Pacific region. The freedom of navigation revealed by the United Kingdom is of vital importance. The British Navy exercises the right of freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, and will continue to deploy aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific. 5. Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene pointed out that the country has strengthened its participation in Indo-Pacific affairs, including cyber security and complex threat resilience, and the country is very happy to cooperate with countries including Taiwan. 3 Delegations from EU member states visiting Taiwan to deepen ties with Tawian 1. Polish parliamentary delegation, led by Deputy Horbatowski, visited Taiwan in early July, with Taiwan government’s an- nouncement of opening market to fresh blueberries from Poland. 2. A delegation of 8 cross-party members led by Ruslanas Baranovas, Chairman of the Lithuanian Parliamentary Taiwan Friendship Group visited Taiwan in early July. European press delegation of journalists from the Czech Republic, France, Germany, and the Netherlands visited Taiwan in mid-June to experience Taiwan’s culture, as part of effort of promoting Taiwan Cultural Year in Europe. 3. Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung pre- sented the Friendship Medal of Diplomacy to former French Senator André Gattolin on June 16 in recognition of his long-stand- ing efforts to promote Taiwan-France rela- tions and his staunch support of Taiwan’s participation in international organizations. 2 4 EU-Canada summit joint statement stressing support for Taiwan Strait security and stability President of the European Council António Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen met with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on June 23 in Brussels for the 20th European Union-Canada summit. In a joint statement released afterward, the two sides declared that security in the Euro-Atlantic and Indo- Pacific regions was increasingly interconnected and reaffirmed a shared interest in maintaining peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, including in the East and South China Seas and across the Taiwan Strait. The two sides added that they would continue working with regional partners to uphold a free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific region. 5 G7 reiterating importance of peace and stability across Taiwan Strait The chair’s summary published following the G7 Summit, held in Kananaskis, Canada, from June 15 to 17, emphasized G7 members’ ongoing and serious concerns about China’s destabilizing actions in the East and South China Seas and the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The summary once again clearly underlined G7 members’ commitment to a free and open Indo-Pacific region based on the international rule of law. In addition, G7 leaders ex- pressed concern over China’s use of such comprehensive nonmarket policies and actions as market distortion and overcapacity. 6 Joint Statement by leaders of Japan and Finland emphasizing importance of Taiwan Strait peace and stability Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Finnish President Alexander Stubb met in Tokyo on June 11. In a joint statement, they said that Japan and Finland strongly opposed any unilateral attempts to change the status quo in the South and East China Seas by force or coercion, emphasized the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait as an indispensable element in the security and prosperity of the international community, and encouraged the peaceful resolution of cross-strait issues. This is the first time that the leaders of Japan and Finland have expressed their high concern for Taiwan Strait peace in a joint statement. 3 7 UK’s Strategic Defence Review & National Security Strategy 2025 conveying concern over peace and stability across Taiwan Strait 1. On June 2, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) of the UK published its “Strategic De- fence Review”, which stressed that the Indo-Pacific was strategically important to the UK and that growing Chinese assertiveness was a key driver of regional and global instability. The report also emphasized that China’s military exercises around Taiwan risked dangerous escalation in the Taiwan Strait and that its aggressive actions were fueling tension in the South China Sea. 2. The UK Cabinet Office issued “National Security Strategy (NSS) 2025” on June 24. The strategy noted the centrality of the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait in global trade and supply chains and underscored the importance of regional stability to the UK. It also indicated that there was a risk of escalation around Taiwan and reiterated that issues regarding Taiwan should be resolved peacefully through con- structive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. It further stated that the UK did not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo and that the UK would continue to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Taiwan in a wide range of areas based on shared democratic values. The day the national security strategy was issued, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy briefed the House of Commons on the China audit and the government’s China policy, emphasizing that the UK’s long-standing position on Taiwan remained unchanged and that it would continue to deepen its vibrant ties with Taiwan in such domains as trade, education, and innovation. 3. On June 26, the British government released its first “Trade Strategy” after Brexit, stating that the UK will continue to deepen trade, investment and eco- nomic cooperation with Taiwan under the framework of the “Enhanced Trade Partnership.” 4 8 Taiwan and the UK signed three pillar agreements under “Enhanced Trade Partnership” Taiwan and the UK signed three pillar agreements on investment, digital trade, energy and net zero emissions under the Enhanced Trade Partnership (ETP) agreement framework on June 30. The ETP agreement, signed in November 2023, is the first institutional economic and trade framework between Taiwan and a European country and is of great of indicative significance. The signing of the three pillar agreements on important areas of bilateral concern will further promote bilateral economic and trade relations. 9 Taiwan’s response to Czech government statement on Chinese cyberattacks against Czech foreign ministry In a statement published on May 28, the government of the Czech Republic said it had identified the People’s Republic of China (PRC) as being responsible for a malicious campaign of cyberattacks targeting one of the unclassified networks of the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It said the campaign had been carried out since 2022 through the cyberespionage actor APT31. Strongly condemning this action, the Czech government called on the PRC to adhere to international rules and take all appropriate measures to address the issue. Taiwan is subjected to millions of cyber intrusions per day, the majority of which originate from China. Taiwan is thus particularly capable of empathizing with the Czech Republic and other democracies facing similar threats. Taiwan is committed to strengthening cooperation with the Czech Republic, the European Union, and other like- minded partners, deepening information security exchanges and defensive capacity and jointly working to resist the threats to the democratic system and information security posed by China and other authoritarian regimes. 10 Taiwan and the Czech Republic once again join hands to help Ukraine rebuild key infrastructure To demonstrate the firm support of Taiwan and the Czech Republic for Ukraine, Taiwan and the Czech Republic signed a “Memorandum of Understanding on the Establishment of an Energy Partnership to Promote Ukraine’s Critical Infrastructure” on June 27, to continue cooperation to help Ukraine rebuild its water treatment facilities and energy generation systems. 5 11 Taiwan trade surplus reaches US$55.7 billion, the highest on record *Export* In June, exports soared to a record high of US&53.32 billion, marking a 33.7% increase compared to the same month last year. Cumulatively, exports for the first half of 2025 totaled US$283.26 billion, reflecting a 25.9% rise from the same period in the previous year. *Imports* In June, imports amounted to US$41.26 billion, making it the second highest monthly import figure in history, and representing a 17.3% increase from June of the previous year. For the first half of 2025, cumulative imports reached US$227.56 billion, up 20.5% compared to the same period last year. 12 Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition to be hele from September 18-20 in Taipei The Taipei Aerospace and Defense Technology Exhibition(TADTE) will take place from Sept. 18-20 at the Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, featuring more than 400 exhibitors from 14 countries, with the number of booths increasing by 40% compared to last year's expo. This year's event, themed "Future Defense, Boundless Innovation," will highlight four key trends: advanced defense, green aviation, resilient supply chains, and unmanned evolution Exhibitors will include the Ministry of National Defense, Taiwan Space Agency, Asia UAV AI Innovation Application R&D Center, Aerospace Industrial Development Corp., Thunder Tiger, and Coretronic Corp. International companies such as Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and BAE Systems are also expected to participate. Local shipbuilders, including Lung Teh Shipbuilding Co., Jong Shyn Shipbuilding, and CSBC Corp., will participate in the expo for the first time. These companies are set to focus on unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) and vessel systems display Additionally, the expo will feature virtual reality, dynamic demonstrations, and immersive experiences, allowing attendees to explore technological applications firsthand, the council added. It will also host forums to discuss the latest defense and aerospace technologies, as well as the global military supply chain. https://www.tadte.com.tw/en/index.html 6 13 LIIA published a new book titled “Not Important Enough to Neglect — Taiwan in the Diplomacy of Northern and Central Europe” The Taipei Mission has collaborated with the Latvian Institute of International Affairs (LIIA) to publish a new book titled “Not Important Enough to Neglect — Taiwan in the Diplomacy of Northern and Central Europe,” which was released on June 9. This insightful volume features 14 specialized articles by scholars from Taiwan and var- ious countries, offering an in-depth analysis of current and future relations with Taiwan. This book provides a balanced analysis of bilateral relationships between Taiwan and EU member states, serving as a valuable resource for understanding Taiwan's interna- tional standing and a guide for diplomatic attitudes towards Taiwan! You can access the PDF version of the book here: https://mx.mofa.gov.tw/mg-cgi/mg_redi- rect?dmn=mofa.gov.tw&mid=686FC5D0.000840BC&mtime=1752155600&url=https %3A%2F%2Fwww%2Eliia%2Elv%2Fen%2Fpublications%2Fnot%2Dim- portant%2Denough%2Dto%2Dneglect%2Dtaiwan%2Din%2Dthe%2Ddiplo- macy%2Dof%2Dnorthern%2Dand%2Dcentral%2Deurope%2D1429%29 14 The report ”Taiwan in a Changing World”t published by Asia Centre, University of Tartu, Estonia We are excited to announced the release of the report titled” Taiwan in a Changing World,” as part of the project initiated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Estonia. Led by Dr. Elo Süld, Head of the Asia Centre at the University of Tartu, this report offers valuable insights into Taiwan’s role in the evolving geopolitical landscape. Don’t miss out on this essential resource! Please find the link to the report’s homepage here: https://aasiakeskus.ut.ee/en/news/report-taiwan-changing-world 7