Hsiao Bi-khim stresses European cooperation to counter China's gray-zone threats.

Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim noted in an exclusive interview with the Central News Agency on the 21st that, in the face of "gray-zone" threats posed by China through diverse political and economic levers, Taiwan must seize every opportunity to interact with international friends. She emphasized that broad scope for cooperation remains between European countries and Taiwan in the realms of security and diplomacy, particularly in joint defense regarding information security, supply chain resilience, and international legal norms, where both sides can deepen consensus through dialogue. Vice President Hsiao's remarks come at a time when Beijing is intensifying its use of trade restrictions, diplomatic blockades, and information warfare to further isolate Taiwan on the international stage.

Since the 1990s, mainland China's policy toward Taiwan has gradually evolved from political declarations of "one country, two systems" to gray-zone operations combining economic incentives with non-military measures. In recent years, from restricting imports of Taiwanese agricultural products and exerting commercial pressure to force multinational corporations to make a "cross-strait choice" between the mainland and Taiwan, to employing diplomatic blockades to hinder Taiwan's participation in international organization votes, all indicate that Beijing's tactics are no longer limited to military threats. This multi-layered oppression has increasingly restricted Taiwan's diplomatic space, compelling the government to seek diversified international partners to reduce risks associated with a single market or a single political system.

Europe has demonstrated a relatively independent diplomatic stance under this dynamic. Since the European Union issued its first policy statement on Taiwan in 2021, the European Parliament has repeatedly passed resolutions supporting Taiwan's participation in international organizations, and has engaged in cooperation with Taiwan in high-technology fields such as semiconductors, green energy, and medicine. The signing of a memorandum of understanding on investment protection negotiations between the EU and Taiwan in 2023 demonstrates that mutual trust between the two sides in the economic sphere is progressively deepening. These initiatives not only provide Taiwan with backups in trade and technological research and development, but also offer a platform for Taiwan to seek support on issues of international law and human rights. Vice President Hsiao pointed out that European countries' expertise in cybersecurity and network protection serves as a critical resource for Taiwan in countering Chinese cyber infiltration and disinformation attacks.

On the security front, multiple European countries are facing similar gray-zone threats. Following the conflict in Ukraine, Russia exerted pressure on Europe using energy supply and information warfare tactics, prompting the EU to accelerate the formulation of "resilient supply chain" and "strategic autonomy" policies. Taiwan's geopolitical situation and Europe's security challenges share inherent similarities, and both sides possess the potential for cooperation in preventing non-traditional threats and enhancing maritime and airspace surveillance capabilities. Vice President Hsiao mentioned that dialogues between Taiwan and Europe on maritime shipping security, maritime regulations, and coast guard cooperation can provide a buffer for cross-strait tensions and help jointly defend freedom of navigation under the framework of international maritime law.

Furthermore, Taiwan's "New Southbound Policy" and Europe's "Global Gateway" strategy resonate with one another in principle. Both sides are committed to reducing reliance on a single major power and promoting diversified supply chains and technological cooperation. Vice President Hsiao pointed out during the interview that Europe's experience in green energy transition and smart manufacturing holds significant reference value for Taiwan's industrial upgrading; meanwhile, Taiwan's leadership in semiconductor fabrication and advanced manufacturing technology can also provide critical support for Europe's industrial recovery. This complementarity not only enhances the economic resilience of both sides, but also forms an alliance at the political level to jointly resist external pressure.

In summary, Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim's trip to Europe is not merely a diplomatic courtesy visit, but a strategic deployment by Taiwan to seek international support and cooperation when facing China's gray-zone threats. Through deep dialogue with Europe in security, economic, and technological dimensions, Taiwan is able to amplify its voice on the international stage while injecting new momentum into its own defense and resilience. Continuing to deepen such interactions in the future will help break Beijing's circle of isolation and elevate Taiwan's participation and influence in the international order.