by Richard Sanders, Staff Writer
The European Union (EU) has expressed concerns about the significant consequences that potential Chinese aggression towards Taiwan could have on its member states, urging the bloc to implement a “major contingency plan in the Indo-Pacific.”
A report released on Wednesday by the European Commission highlighted Beijing’s longstanding ambitions regarding Taiwan and warned that any aggressive actions by China towards Taiwan or in the South China Sea would have a profound economic and security impact on both Europe and the global community.
The report specifically addressed China’s gray-zone tactics—coercive measures that stop short of outright warfare—such as taking control of Taiwan’s remote islands, imposing restrictions on maritime traffic under the pretense of shipping inspections, or fully blockading Taiwan.
Such actions could lead to “severe disruptions” in critical sectors for the EU, given its extensive economic connections with China and reliance on Taiwan for advanced semiconductor supplies.
In addition to its concerns about Taiwan, the report noted that China’s “coercive foreign and security policies” towards neighboring countries like India, the Philippines, and Vietnam are contributing to regional instability.
The report urged the EU to “prepare for, and also prevent, a major contingency in the Indo-Pacific” by strengthening collaboration with regional partners.
It also recommended enhanced cooperation between the EU and NATO for coordinated actions and information sharing, especially in light of China’s ongoing support for Russia amid its war with Ukraine and the competitive dynamics between Beijing and Washington.
“The security and prosperity of the Euro-Atlantic region are closely linked to those of the Indo-Pacific,” stated the report, authored by former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, now serving as a special adviser to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
Titled “Safer Together: Strengthening Europe’s Civilian and Military Preparedness and Readiness,” the report evaluates the geopolitical challenges facing the EU and offers recommendations for decision-makers across EU institutions and member states for the 2024-2029 period.
In a statement on Friday, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) expressed its appreciation for the EU’s commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and the broader Indo-Pacific region. MOFA affirmed Taiwan’s intention to collaborate with the EU and other like-minded democratic nations to uphold the rule-based international order and foster regional and global stability.
歐洲聯盟（EU）對潛在的中國對台灣的侵略可能對其成員國造成的重大影響表示關切，並敦促該集團在印太地區實施“重大應急計劃”。
歐洲委員會於週三發布的一份報告強調了北京對台灣的長期野心，並警告稱，中國對台灣或南海的任何侵略行為都將對歐洲和全球社會造成深遠的經濟和安全影響。
報告特別提到中國的灰色地帶戰術——這些脅迫措施未達到全面戰爭的程度——例如控制台灣的偏遠島嶼、以貨運檢查的名義限制海上交通，或全面封鎖台灣。
鑑於歐盟與中國之間的廣泛經濟聯繫以及對台灣先進半導體供應的依賴，這些行為可能導致歐盟在關鍵行業出現“嚴重中斷”。
除了對台灣的關切之外，報告還指出中國對印度、菲律賓和越南等鄰國的“脅迫性外交和安全政策”也在加劇區域不穩定。
報告敦促歐盟“為印太地區的重大應急做好準備，並防止此類事件的發生”，加強與區域夥伴的合作。
報告還建議歐盟與北約之間加強合作，以便在中國持續支持俄羅斯與烏克蘭的戰爭以及北京與華盛頓之間的競爭動態下進行協調行動和信息共享。
報告指出：“歐大西洋地區的安全與繁榮與印太地區密切相關。” 該報告由前芬蘭總統索利·尼尼斯托撰寫，現在擔任歐洲委員會主席烏爾蘇拉·馮德萊恩的特別顧問。
該報告名為《更安全的共同體：加強歐洲的民事和軍事準備及應對能力》，評估了歐盟面臨的地緣政治挑戰，並為2024-2029年期間歐盟機構和成員國的決策者提供建議。
台灣外交部（MOFA）在週五的一份聲明中表達了對歐盟在台灣海峽及更廣泛印太地區維護和平與穩定承諾的感謝。外交部重申台灣意圖與歐盟及其他志同道合的民主國家合作，以維護基於規則的國際秩序，促進區域和全球穩定。
