Introduction of Taian Em Portugal, Gruc Chance Chang
Despite the failure of six proposals related to Taiwan in the Portuguese parliament, relations between Taipei and Lisbon show signs of progress, Taiwan’s representative in Portugal said this Friday.
In a plenary vote this Friday, the Portuguese Parliament rejected all six motions relating to Taiwanincluding proposals to establish a Portuguese representative office in Taipei.
The proposals were put forward by the Liberal Initiative (IL), which submitted two motions, including one that called for the establishment of a representative office in Taiwan and another that called on the Government to correct what it described as inadequate administrative and institutional treatment a Taiwan.
Similar proposals were presented by the PAN and Bloco de Esquerda, which proposed the strengthening relations with Taiwan respecting Portugal’s diplomatic ties with China. Chega called on the Government to play a role mediator in relieving tension between Beijing and Taipei.
When asked about the result, Grace wonderTaiwanese ambassador to Portugal, told the outcome, although below expectations“in a way clearly demonstrates that issues related to Taiwan are gain greater attention in the Assembly of the Republic of Portugal”.
In a Facebook post, the Taiwanese representation thanked in particular the Liberal Initiative “for having presented, in the Assembly of the Republic, initiatives on Taiwan that encourage the Portuguese government to deepen interaction with Taiwan”.
Chang also stated that she was grateful that some deputies chose to join abstain rather than vote against proposalswhich the representative sees as a gesture of support.
Although the motions were rejectedthe Taiwanese representative considers that the greater visibility of issues related to Taiwan and the growing cross-party involvement have a “positive meaning”.
Chang added that generalist media in Portugal began to pay greater attention to Taiwan last year, citing the “wide coverage of media outlets like the Observador” as another encouraging sign.
In a telephone interview with CNA, the IL deputy Rui Rocha stated that the proposals based on “common sense” and a “pragmatic approach”, and highlighted that Portugal and Taiwan already maintain economic tiesmutual investment, tourist exchanges and expatriate communities in both countries.
“We must not deny realityand we must create the appropriate environment for this type of relationships that are built in reality”, stated Rocha, who highlighted the Taiwan’s importance in global industriessuch as semiconductors.
According to Rui Rocha, strengthening relationships “It’s not a question of geopolitics“, but rather a question of interest to the people of Europe, Portugal and Taiwan.
The IL deputy considers that Portugal remains more prudent than many other European countries, most of which already maintain representative offices in Taiwan, and describes Portugal’s position as “overly cautious“.
For Rui Rocha, is incoherent that Lisbon welcomes a Taiwanese representative office without establishing a Portuguese office in Taipei.
Portugal does not officially recognize Taiwanwhose formal name is the Republic of China, as independent country. The sovereignty of the island, formerly Formosa, is historically claimed by the People’s Republic of China — or ““.
Only 12 countries officially recognize Taiwan as a sovereign State: Belize, Eswatini, Guatemala, Haiti, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Palau, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and Tuvalu.
Although most countries do not diplomatically recognize Taiwan, many maintain Taiwan unofficial economic, cultural and consular relationsthrough representative offices.
