Responding to an incident on March 31 in which two Chinese fighter jets crossed the Taiwan Strait median line, a spokesperson for the European External Action Service said on April 2 that the EU has a strong interest in peace and security in Asia.
 
“Tensions in the Far East can only have a negative impact on our own security, as well as on our trade and our economies, including the flourishing trade between China and Taiwan,” he said. “Both sides must avoid actions and words that may increase tensions around the Strait,” the spokesperson added. “We look to China and Taiwan to engage constructively with one another, and to restart dialogue. We are willing to support all initiatives aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation and confidence-building between the two sides.”
 
Since China’s leader hardened his stance toward Taiwan in a speech on January 2, the European Commission and members of the European Parliament have issued a series of statements expressing concern regarding the situation across the Taiwan Strait. On January 30, European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides said that cross-strait peace and stability is in the EU’s strong interests, and that the EU respects Taiwan’s system of governance and its values of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Commissioner Stylianides also reiterated that the EU will continue to develop relations with Taiwan in a range of different areas, and said he hoped that the status quo would remain the norm across the Taiwan Strait, and that the EU would encourage dialogue between the two sides.
 
MOFA thanks the EU for reiterating its consistent stance of encouraging peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, and will continue to work with the EU and other like-minded partners to maintain regional stability and promote peaceful cross-strait development.(E)