A resolution adopted by the Belgian Senate in support of Taiwan’s international participation is appreciated by the government and people, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs March 26.
 
Passed earlier the same day in a 49-0 vote, with five abstentions, the resolution calls on Belgium’s government to strengthen ties with Taiwan via the European Union and support its meaningful participation in the international governance system, including in the International Civil Aviation Organization, U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and World Health Organization.
 
The resolution makes clear that safeguarding Taiwan is crucial to wider peace in the Asia Pacific and urges the Belgian government and EU to advocate for the resumption of dialogue between Taipei and Beijing amid China’s ongoing campaign of coercion. It also calls for Beijing to release Taiwan activist Lee Ming-che, who has been serving a five-year-prison term since 2017 on charges of subversion of state power.
 
According to the MOFA, the resolution follows similar motions passed by the Belgian Chamber of Representatives last July and Flemish Parliament earlier this month. These actions prove Belgium’s staunch support for Taiwan and the two sides’ rock-solid partnership, the ministry added.
 
In a tweet on its official Twitter account, the MOFA said: “Our sincere thanks to #Belgium’s @SenaatSenat for the solid support. The resolution buoying #Taiwan’s standing in the international arena is a real vote of confidence in the country & its people. We look forward to deepening friendship & exchanges with the #EU member state.” (YCH-E)
 
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