Taiwan, EU both face threats of 'external infiltration', president tells European lawmakers
TAIPEI - Taiwan and the European Union share the same values of freedom and democracy, but both also face similar threats from "external infiltration", President Lai Ching-te told visiting European lawmakers on Tuesday.
Taiwan views the EU as one of its most important like-minded democratic partners, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, and the bloc has had to balance its support for the Chinese-claimed island with relations with Beijing, which views Taiwan as its own territory.
China confirmed on Monday it will hold a top-level summit with the EU in Beijing this week marking 50 years of diplomatic ties as both sides seek to navigate trade disputes amid broader global trade uncertainties.
Lai, meeting members of the European Parliament's Special Committee on the European Democracy Shield at the presidential office in Taipei, said Taiwan and the EU not only have close economic and trade ties, but also share the values of democracy and freedom.
"But in recent years, both have encountered information interference and infiltration by external forces which have attempted to manipulate the results of democratic elections, create confrontation in society, and shake people's confidence in democracy," he said, according to a statement from his office.
Taiwan, which rejects Beijing's sovereignty claims, has repeatedly accused China of interfering in its democracy, spreading fake news and undermining public trust in the government.
China denies the accusations, but says Taiwan's government is seeking foreign support to push its own "separatist" agenda.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore S'poreans aged 21 to 59 can claim $600 SG60 vouchers from July 22
Singapore Miscalculated grants: Overpayments amounted to $7m for most people, a shortage of $2m to others, says MOH
Singapore Changi Airport handles 17.5 million passengers in Q2 2025
Singapore 2 charged over alleged involvement in posting of bail for man who subsequently absconded
Singapore Teen charged after allegedly selling vaporisers, advertising e-cigarettes on WhatsApp
Life Having a workout partner could be the secret to sticking to your fitness goals
Singapore 2,500 turtles seized in India and sent back to S'pore, put down humanely after salmonella detected
Singapore Ports and planes: The 2 Singapore firms helping to keep the world moving
For their part, many European countries say Russia has similarly been seeking to discredit European governments and destabilise the EU. Moscow rejects the allegations.
Lai said that democracies work not to fight against anyone, but to safeguard a "treasured" way of life, just as Europe strives to promote the spirit of pluralism and human rights.
"Standing at the forefront of the world's defence of democracy, Taiwan is determined to work to safeguard democracy, peace and prosperity around the world, and hopes to share its experience with Europe," he added. REUTERS
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Russia says it has taken Ukrainian town of Chasiv Yar after 16-month battle
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Russia said on Thursday it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting, opening the way for potential further advances. Russia's Defence Ministry said in a brief statement its forces had "liberated" the town. Reuters could not independently confirm its fall. DeepState, a Ukrainian open-source mapping site that charts the front lines, showed Ukraine's forces controlling the western part of the town. Russia has been slowly grinding forward in eastern Ukraine as talks to end the 3-1/2 year war have failed to make progress towards a ceasefire, prompting U.S. President Donald Trump to threaten new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its exports from next week. Moscow's forces are also mounting intense pressure on the city of Pokrovsk, 60 km (37 miles) southwest of Chasiv Yar. Military analyst Emil Kastehelmi, co-founder of the Finland-based Black Bird Group, said it was likely that battles were continuing near Chasiv Yar. "The terrain of Chasiv Yar has favoured the defender. Forested areas, waterways, hills and a varied building stock have enabled Ukraine to conduct a defensive operation lasting over a year, in which the Russians have made minimal monthly progress," he told Reuters. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT's finances hit by 2024 EWL disruption; profit after tax for trains division dips 8% Asia US-Malaysia tariff deal set for Aug 1 after Trump-Anwar phone call Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council Business Singapore gold investment soars 37% to 2.2 tonnes in Q2 while jewellery demand wanes Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Life Milo tees, kaya toast pimple patches, crockery: Here are the SG60 merch to collect Business Deepening Singapore-Latin America ties a matter of urgency amid global trade uncertainty: Alvin Tan Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' Kastehelmi said it was likely that the town's fall, if confirmed, would create conditions for Russia to advance further in eastern Ukraine, but still only gradually. "The fall of the city to the enemy is nevertheless a challenging situation for Ukraine, as it will bring the Russians closer to Kostiantynivka, which Russia is now approaching from several directions," he said. "The logistics in the area will also be affected, as Russians can bring drone teams even closer." The battle for Chasiv Yar began in April last year, when Russian paratroopers reached its eastern edge. Russian state media reported then that Russian soldiers had begun phoning their Ukrainian counterparts inside the town to demand they surrender or be wiped out by aerial guided bombs. The town, now in ruins, had a pre-war population of more than 12,000 and its economy was based around a factory that produced reinforced concrete products and clay used in bricks. It lies just west of Bakhmut, which Russia captured in 2023 after one of the bloodiest battles of the war. REUTERS
Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Hungary's Orban pledges housing subsidies for public servants in pre-election push
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban looks on at Balvanyos Summer University, on the day he delivers a speech to ethnic Hungarians, in Baile Tusnad, Romania, July 26, 2025. Inquam Photos/Tudor Pana via REUTERS/File Photo BUDAPEST - Hungary plans to give public servants, including police and teachers, an annual 1 million forint (nearly $3,000) housing subsidy, Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced as he gears up for a closely-fought 2026 election. The policy pledge, announced in a social media post, follows a raft of other spending measures by Orban's government in the run-up to the election in which he faces an unusually strong challenger amid economic headwinds. In power since 2010, the veteran nationalist has struggled to revive Hungary's economy from an inflationary surge following Russia's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, with the economy on track for a third successive year of near stagnation. "We will give one million forints of housing subsidy to doctors, nurses, police officers, teachers, soldiers, and other civil servants, which can be used towards mortgage repayments or as a down payment for a new home loan," Orban said. Orban said the government would make a final decision on the scheme next month. At a time when the budget is already stretched, the plan comes on top of spending that includes big income tax cuts, pushing the total cost of Orban's family benefits to 4.8 trillion forints ($13.71 billion) next year, worth 5% of Hungary's economic output. The government has also recently announced a subsidised mortgage scheme for first-time home buyers that is estimated to cost up to $443 million per year in interest rate subsidies. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore SMRT's finances hit by 2024 EWL disruption; profit after tax for trains division dips 8% Asia US-Malaysia tariff deal set for Aug 1 after Trump-Anwar phone call Singapore Underground pipe leak likely reason for water supply issues during Toa Payoh fire: Town council Business Singapore gold investment soars 37% to 2.2 tonnes in Q2 while jewellery demand wanes Multimedia 60 years, 60 items: A National Day game challenge Life Milo tees, kaya toast pimple patches, crockery: Here are the SG60 merch to collect Business Deepening Singapore-Latin America ties a matter of urgency amid global trade uncertainty: Alvin Tan Singapore 'Switching careers just as I became a dad was risky, but I had to do it for my family' Hungary's government increased its borrowing plan last month in part to fund its pre-election measures amid a weaker than expected economy. Hungary's economy grew by an annual 0.1% in the second quarter, slightly more than expected, data showed on Wednesday, a day after the government slashed its 2025 economic growth forecast to 1% from 2.5%. Orban had hoped a rebound in economic growth would help him secure another term in next year's elections. REUTERS
Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Lebanon's President Aoun urges Hezbollah to give up arms
FILE PHOTO: Lebanese President Joseph Aoun looks on during a meeting with Cyprus' President Nikos Christodoulides at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, Cyprus July 9, 2025. Petros Karadjias/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo BEIRUT - Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun called on Hezbollah and other political parties on Thursday to hand over their weapons to the army, a move the powerful militant group is resisting as Washington ramps up pressures for it to remove its arsenal. "It is the duty of all political parties... to seize this historic opportunity without hesitation and push for the exclusivity of weapons in the hands of the army and security forces and no one else," Aoun said in a televised speech in the defence ministry's headquarters. Hezbollah, which emerged badly damaged from its war with Israel last year, has said calls for the Iran-aligned group to disarm only serve Israel. "Those who call for submitting arms practically demand submitting them to Israel ... We will not submit to Israel," the group's chief Sheikh Naim Qassem said on Wednesday. The U.S. has been pushing Lebanon to issue a formal cabinet decision committing to disarm Hezbollah before talks can resume on a halt to Israeli military operations in the country, five sources familiar with the matter told Reuters. Aoun said a proposal to Washington that will be presented to the cabinet next week stated that Israel should stop its attacks on Lebanon and withdraw from the posts it occupies in the south of the country, along with Hezbollah handing over its weaponry to the Lebanese army. The proposal seeks to secure $1 billion annually for 10 years to support the army and the security forces and includes plans for an international conference to take place later in the year to support reconstruction efforts in Lebanon. REUTERS
