Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen said on Thursday that sharing her country's experience in combating disinformation can help safeguard freedom and democracy globally.
Tsai received seven lawmakers from the European Parliament's Special Committee on Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes (INGE). The team arrived on Wednesday for a three-day official visit.
This marks the first time that the European Parliament has sent an official delegation to Taiwan. Contacts between EU states and Taiwan have been increasing of late.
China condemned the visit, with a Foreign Ministry spokesperson saying that Beijing was "very dissatisfied."
The European Parliament should adhere to the "obligations" associated with the so-called "One China" policy, the spokesperson said.
Taiwan has had an independent government since 1949, but China considers the democratic island part of its territory and opposes any form of official contacts between Taiwan and others.
"We have asked the EU to correct these mistakes and not send the wrong signals to the separatist forces advocating Taiwan's independence," he added.
Tsai said that she knew that the team had come to learn how Taiwan handles hybrid threats and disinformation and noted that Taiwan is willing to share with European friends its experience of fighting disinformation from authoritarian regimes.
Tsai said that the European Parliament's approval of its first report on EU-Taiwan political relations and cooperation two weeks ago sent a strong signal of support.
"We believe that Taiwan and the EU can certainly continue strengthening our partnership in all domains," Tsai said.
The report encourages increased economic, scientific, cultural, political and people-to-people exchanges, meetings and cooperation between the EU and Taiwan.
Raphael Glucksmann, a French member of the European Parliament, said the delegation's arrival sends a clear message: "You are not alone. Europe is standing with you, by you, in the defence of freedom and the defence of rule of law and human dignity."
"Our visit should be considered an important first step," Glucksmann added. "Next we need a very concrete agenda of high-level meetings."
Source: DPA
