Danish Parliament Cross-Party Delegation Visits Taiwan, Will Meet with Lai Ching-te

Danish parliament member Pia Kjærsgaard led a bipartisan group of lawmakers to visit Taiwan from the 11th to the 15th of November. They are set to meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of China warmly welcomed the delegation, pointing out that this is the first time Danish parliament members have organized a group visit to Taiwan post-pandemic.

The Republic of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 11th that Danish parliament member Pia Kjærsgaard, along with bipartisan lawmakers, visited Taiwan. The group members include lawmakers Kim Aas, Steffen Larsen, Mikkel Bjørn, and Danish People’s Party senior political advisor Henrik Thorup.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Parliament member Kjærsgaard is a steadfast friend of Taiwan, having served as the Speaker of the Danish Parliament and Chair of the Danish Parliament’s Friends of Taiwan Group. Since her first visit to Taiwan in 1987, Kjærsgaard has visited the island nine times, while the other three lawmakers are visiting Taiwan for the first time. They will exchange views on Taiwan-Denmark bilateral relations, the situation in the Taiwan Strait region, and the expansion of authoritarian regimes with relevant Taiwanese authorities.

During their visit to Taiwan, the delegation will meet with President Tsai Ing-wen, Secretary-General of the National Security Council David Lee, and Minister of Mainland Affairs Council Chiu Chui-cheng. They will also attend banquets hosted by Legislative Yuan Speaker Han Kuo-yu and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Wu Chih-chung. Additionally, they will visit the Hsinchu Science Park and Industrial Technology Research Institute.

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that Taiwan and Denmark share values such as democracy, freedom, rule of law, and human rights. The two countries have great cooperation potential in areas such as economy, green energy technology, and transition to net-zero emissions. It is believed that this visit will enhance the friendship between Taiwan and Denmark and promote collaboration in various fields.

On the evening of the 11th, the National Security Bureau of the Republic of China issued a press release. Secretary-General of the National Security Council David Lee stated during the meeting with the Danish parliament delegation that Taiwan occupies a crucial geopolitical position in the first island chain, and will continue to enhance its self-defense capabilities and societal resilience to counter Chinese aggression.

Furthermore, Lee pointed out that Chinese authoritarian expansion ambitions extend beyond Taiwan, as evidenced by their influence expansion activities in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Africa, Latin America, and elsewhere. He emphasized the importance of a rules-based international order and the need for democratic countries worldwide to unite against authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea.

Lee stressed that Taiwan and Denmark share universal values such as democracy and human rights, and both sides should strengthen connections and expand cooperation in areas such as trade, green energy, and more. In recent years, Taiwan has developed closer ties with European countries, which have shown support for Taiwan through actions like freedom of navigation in the Taiwan Strait and countering China’s distortion of UN Resolution 2758. Denmark is expected to continue supporting Taiwan, and it will not stand alone in this wave of support for Taiwan.

Delegation leader Pia Kjærsgaard expressed that she first visited Taiwan in 1987 and this marks her ninth visit to the country. She has witnessed Taiwan’s remarkable progress in various aspects of politics and economy over the decades. Taiwanese people are friendly, open, and free, setting Taiwan apart from mainland China. She is well aware that Taiwan stands at the forefront of resisting Chinese authoritarian expansion, facing daily pressures and threats from Beijing. The visit with multiple lawmakers is intended to convey support for Taiwan.

Kjærsgaard emphasized that deepening interactions with European countries is a wise move for Taiwan. It allows more European nations to understand Taiwan’s expertise in technology, energy, and public health. Taiwan’s participation in international organizations will benefit the global community.