While speaking at a news conference in Taipei, German parliamentarians on Thursday (October 6) rejected military action as a means of international politics and urged democracies to band together. The German delegation is led by Klaus-Peter Willsch, who heads the Germany-Taiwan Parliamentary Friendship Group.
The leader of the delegation made a strong statement when speaking to the press, that Germany rejects any military threats by a bigger country against their neighbour, with (the goal of) annexation, and that Germany has a clear stance on what is right and wrong.
On a five-day visit to Taiwan, the delegation was the first from Germany to visit the island since the start of the pandemic.
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen sought to deepen relations with Germany in response to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and Chinese pressure on the democratic self-ruled island. She called the lawmakers’ group and the German federal parliament an “important force for Taiwan.”
Describing Taiwan as “an important friend of Germany,” Willsch said through an interpreter that it is important for Berlin to engage in bilateral cooperation and exchanges with Taipei, especially by strengthening diplomatic relations.
The German lawmakers held meetings with senior Taiwan government officials, including the President and Vice President, as well as business leaders from various sectors, such as Taiwan’s world-leading chipmakers.