Proposition 53K1546

Proposition de résolution sur l'établissement d'un climat de confiance entre la Chine et Taïwan et la participation significative de Taïwan dans certaines organisations internationales.

General information ¶

Authors

CD&V Roel Deseyn, Gerald Kindermans
LE Christian Brotcorne, Georges Dallemagne
MR Corinne De Permentier, Olivier Destrebecq
N-VA Jan Van Esbroeck
Open Vld Patrick Dewael
PS | SP Patrick Moriau
Vooruit Maya Detiège

Submission date

June 6, 2011

Official page

Visit

Status

Adopted

Requirement

Simple

Subjects

China Taiwan international conflict international organisation resolution of parliament peaceful co-existence

Voting ¶

Voted to adopt

Groen CD&V Vooruit Ecolo LE PS | SP ∉ Open Vld N-VA LDD MR VB

Contact form ¶

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Discussion ¶

Feb. 16, 2012 | Plenary session (Chamber of representatives)

Full source

Mr Luyckx, the rapporteur, refers to the written report.

Mr. Speaker, my colleagues, I have had the honour to carry this resolution on Taiwan with other colleagues in the Foreign Affairs Committee. I am convinced that Taiwan’s political momentum is crucial for the future of relations between the island and the mainland.

The outgoing president, Ma Ying-jeou, and the Kuomintang won the election. They are the ones who will have to elaborate the political lines on which relations with China will deepen, or even approach the political field in a peaceful and negotiated way. China is experiencing a crucial political year. In fact, at the next congress in October, the Chinese leaders who will have the highest responsibilities from 2013 to 2023, including President Xi Jinping, will be designated.

Therefore, we will be very attentive to how both partners will negotiate for, hopefully, a peace treaty. In the course of these discussions, I will make a duty to question the Minister on these. Before concluding, I would like to point out that Mr. Herman De Croo and the Open Vld join my speech.

Mr. Speaker, colleagues, the substance of this resolution has already been sufficiently explained in the committee, but I do not want to miss the opportunity to further promote this resolution.

We are very pleased that this resolution was finally discussed and that it can be voted on, even though this could have happened to us much earlier. In any case, our group will of course fully support this resolution.

Mr. Speaker, our group has signed this resolution and therefore fully supports the text.

The relationship between Taiwan and China is still complex. As economic cooperation increases and trade relations intensify, political and diplomatic relations appear to remain stagnant.

The recent re-election of President Ma has been highly welcomed by the international community, as this means that the current constructive and positive policy towards China will continue and no longer be opted for confrontation.

The tone of the resolution also fits into this constructive approach to the Taiwan-China conflict. The first question addressed to the Belgian Government concludes directly with this. Such a long-term solution is crucial. The situation between Taipei and Beijing is far from resolved, and the breaking of the current status quo could have very far-reaching consequences for regional and international security, not least because it has the potential to bring the United States on the brink with the People’s Republic of China.

Naivety is not in place here. In fact, the past shows that economic integration and mutual trade relations are not the full guarantee of avoiding armed conflicts and wars. In addition, Taiwan is part of a complex power game in the South China and East China Seas, where China, the United States and other local powers are looking for balance.

Cooperation between the two countries and the continuation of the dialogue is, in our view, the only appropriate way to reach a long-term solution and a lasting peace. Therefore, we fully support the second question in the resolution. Excluding Taiwan from such international cooperation is only counterproductive, and it also reduces the contacts that Chinese and Taiwanese representatives, diplomats and politicians can have with each other, far from political rhetoric.

Thirdly, and finally, we ask the Government to show its support for a broader economic cooperation between the European Union and Taiwan, in particular through the conclusion of an economic cooperation alliance. This is also an important aspect that we do not hide. In an increasingly globalized world, the weight of Asia is only increasing, both politically and economically. In that sense, this resolution may also be a bit of self-interest. However, the economic trade relationship between the European Union and the Asian countries, including Taiwan, is extremely important to give European and Belgian companies new opportunities. Therefore, the EU has concluded new trade agreements and/or is negotiating them with several countries in the region. As an exporter of high-tech equipment and as a possible gateway to the rest of Asia, Taiwan can therefore be an important partner of the EU and of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to say that our group supports this resolution proposal.

First, I have heard of some regrets that this resolution proposal comes a little late. Thanks to this initiative, Taiwan has been recognized as an observer in the World Health Organization. We will say that there is a tradition in us, and I look forward to it, to support this small state or future state.

Then I speak of state because we cannot continue to have this double discourse: on the one hand, accepting the right to self-determination of peoples, as in Kosovo, and, on the other hand, taking a different attitude with regard to Taiwan. Let’s be consistent: you know what my commitment to the double standard is.

Third, in my opinion, this resolution goes exactly in the direction of history since it calls for a climate of confidence between China and Taiwan. It is capital: at present, ⁇ a thousand missiles remain targeted on this island from the mainland. This leads to schizophrenic problems: living in perpetual fear that a missile falls on your head is aberrant, even if you see a certain evolution in economic relations, far from being as hostile as some think.

Finally, it is essential to end this hypocrisy: Taiwan is represented in 117 countries, although it is not referred to as an embassy but as business officials, with all that this leads to as problems in the routine management of a diplomatic mission.

That the Chinese and Taiwanese work together, we all aspire to that. There is no point in creating conflicts. To return to my previous example, currently five European countries still refuse to recognize Kosovo. I think we need to follow a coherent line on this issue.

Mr. Speaker, I will be very brief because I think many things have already been said about the resolution. I would like to take the word on behalf of our group.

Two years ago I went on a working visit to Taiwan with Mr. Dallemagne, Mr. Schiltz, Mr. Destrebecq and Mr. Blanchart. Our delegation leader was then Mr. Dallemagne. I assume that he himself will also take the word and intervene a little more thoroughly.

Sp.a is very pleased that after two years the resolution is submitted for adoption.

During our work visit in 2008, it was very clear on the spot – since the new Taiwanese government – that there was a new rule and a new atmosphere. The Taiwanese are making a lot of effort to be politically more open to China. The policy focuses on a number of themes, including the development of economic exchanges, as well as the step-by-step building of a confidence climate between China and Taiwan.

I am therefore pleased that the Taiwanese on 14 January last year once again gave green light to the current government so that they can continue the policy they are pursuing.

In order to have a climate of trust, it is important that the Taiwanese have a greater participation on the international level. That is what the resolution is about. This means that exclusion from important debates and important international organizations, such as those on climate change, will be corrected.

I hope we will give a positive signal today. I suppose yes because everyone agrees. It is not possible, however, that a country in the 22nd place of the world ranking on CO2 emissions should not participate in international debates.

We can finally vote on this resolution today. I thank you.

The Flemish Interest Group welcomes the fact that Taiwan is granted a substantial form of recognition through this resolution. We have repeatedly submitted similar proposals to the previous legislatures in order to obtain the necessary recognition and participation on the international level of this peace-loving democratic rule of law.

The text calls on the People’s Republic of China to remove the disturbances and threats it has caused in the region is an important signal.

Unfortunately, they did not want us to know by bad habit in the formulation and submission of this resolution. We will approve them with conviction.

Remember, we are always willing to go even further in terms of content. On the basis of the right of self-determination of the peoples, we believe that Taiwan has the right within the international community to the full recognition as an independent nation. We have already put this into a resolution.

The present resolution is an important first step, even as it does not escape the taboo of aggressive Chinese attitude.

We support the people of Taiwan and their legitimate aspirations. Vlaams Belang will vote in favour of this resolution.

I am pleased that, for many years, a number of colleagues have been interested in the situation in the Strait of Formosa. by Mr. Moriau recalled that a previous resolution, a few years ago, had helped address our concerns about Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly. I think that the unanimous support of our Parliament is a good augur to see our resolution have the same type of effectiveness compared to the requests that are registered there.

Since the time we have looked at this issue, things have evolved on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Today it is no longer the same type of confrontation as it was a few years ago. There are currently 16 cooperation agreements, mostly economic, between Taiwan and the People's Republic of China. I think that we should indeed welcome the rapprochement and dialogue that exists on both sides of the Strait.

That said, it is true that efforts still need to be made. Hence the call to our diplomacy to remind us of the importance of this issue. And in the debate about the future of the diplomatic posts we will soon have, it will be crucial to defend the maintenance of a diplomatic post in Taipei. I’m not saying that the question arises, but that I would like it not to arise.

Second, regarding participation in international organizations as important as the Climate Conference, my colleague Maya Detiège recalled that Taiwan is a CO2 emitter of the same order as Belgium. It would be a shame to miss Taiwan and the efforts that could be made there to fight climate change.

For civil aviation, Taipei is a very important hub in Asia. It is essential that it can participate in the efforts of the International Civil Aviation Organization for simple security reasons. Finally, it is true that a major economic agreement with the European Union would allow us to continue to consolidate our trade relations with this country.

Again, I welcome the vote on this resolution. I insist, like my colleague Patrick Moriau, on the fact that a number of issues are still unresolved, including the presence of missiles on the Taiwan Strait. I hope that in the future, given the positive developments that are currently taking place, even these issues will find a solution in the months and years to come.