Historic cross-party delegation pledges to reboot Ukraine-Taiwan relations

From the European Solidarity party, in addition to myself, Mykhailo Bondar and Andrii Lopushanskyi were present. Sviatoslav Yurash represented the Servant of the People party, Ivan Krulko the Batkivshchyna party and Solomiia Bobrovska the Holos party. Valerii Lunchenko took part from the Dovira party.

Historical context

After World War II, a civil war broke out in the Republic of China (ROC). The leader of the nationalists and ROC, Chiang Kai-shek, relocated to Taiwan, an island around 130 kilometers off the coast of China. 

It was there, after a long search for a path of development, that modern-day Taiwan was formed — a vibrant democracy where free elections are held, where citizens elect the president, parliament, local governments and where political competition, rule of law and freedom of speech are safeguarded. None of this exists in communist China, which is why Beijing seeks to delete Taiwan in the international arena and threatens to take the island by force.

There was a time when the ROC represented the Chinese nation in the U.N. and other international organizations. But later, after international negotiations, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) became the sole representative of China in these structures. 

Ukraine, like most countries in the world, recognizes the so-called one China principle. But the question arises: What should a unified China look like? Can it be authoritarian, as it is now? Obviously not. The Chinese people have the right to exist as part of a strong Asian democracy, which is what Taiwan is today.

Modern-day Taiwan

Taiwan has achieved extraordinary success. The country has created a powerful industry and raised its standard of living to one of the highest in the world. In terms of GDP per capita, Taiwan ranks 12th globally. The world cooperates closely with Taiwan. In the field of technology, it is a leader in the production of semiconductors: 80 percent of chips for AI are produced by Taiwan-invested companies. Metallurgy, mechanical engineering, electronics manufacturing and other industries are also powerful.

This explains why, for example, in the Polish parliament, the inter-parliamentary group for relations with Taiwan is the largest, uniting 109 members of the Sejm. The friendship group with the U.S. has 88 deputies, and with Ukraine, it has 78. In Ukraine, such a group does not exist. Even a cross-party association to support people-to-people ties with Taiwan is not registered by the leadership of the Verkhovna Rada. The reason is economic and political pressure from communist China due to business interests.

I consider this a serious political mistake. Recognizing the so-called one China principle must not stop Ukraine from developing economic, cultural and humanitarian cooperation with Taiwan, as other countries do. Especially, since Taiwan consistently supports us in resisting Russia’s brutal and illegal war of aggression.

Taiwan can help Ukraine

In the U.S. Congress, aid to Ukraine is often approved along with support packages for other countries also defending democracy on the front lines of freedom — Israel and Taiwan. The people of Taiwan understand well that if Ukraine falls, they may face ramped-up aggression from the other side of the Taiwan Strait. Therefore, their support is sincere and large-scale.

Taiwan implements numerous humanitarian projects and allocates tens of millions of dollars to help Ukrainian society. For example, with the support of Taiwan and the Ukrainian Catholic University, we organized training for computer science and programming teachers. After completing the courses, schools receive computer and robotics classrooms. In this way, over 100 Ukrainian schools have been digitalized and we are doubling down on the U.N.’s promise to leave no one behind. Another joint project is camps and entrepreneurship schools for schoolchildren, after which institutions also receive modern equipment.

Taiwan cooperates with our allies like Lithuania and Czechia in rebuilding destroyed schools, as well as supports Ukraine's electronics industry and other sectors.

Openings for Ukraine

Ukrainian industry is interested in purchasing Taiwan products — from electronics to mechanical engineering. During the delegation’s visit, we held meetings with the president, vice president, speaker of the parliament, representatives of the ruling and opposition political parties, heads of industry associations and also visited leading Taiwan enterprises.

Taiwan is open to cooperation with Ukraine, but due to pressure from communist China, our country is giving the island of resilience a cold shoulder. This is absurd, because communist China, which openly supports Russia, continues to work with Ukraine, while Taiwan — a like-minded partner whose people fight in the armed forces of Ukraine — is nearly ignored.

Taiwan’s representative offices operate in Moscow, Warsaw and most European capitals, but not in Kyiv. Opening such an office would give a huge impetus to cooperation and would help the army and the economy. This in no way contradicts the so-called one China principle, as evidenced by the experience of many EU countries.

Security and technology

By cooperating with Taiwan, we maintain the ability to work with communist China, too. But caution is required. Through 5G networks and electronics, Beijing tries to gain a monopoly on information control. Many countries are introducing cybersecurity measures against such interference. Ukraine has not yet done anything similar.

Taiwan electronics and telecommunications solutions could become a safe alternative. In many Ukrainian cities, including Lviv and Bucha, joint projects for the development of 5G networks are already being discussed. Taiwan supports medical centers that deal with the rehabilitation of our military.

Moving forward

Gratitude is a trait that allows us to build a future. We must immediately open a Taiwan representative office in Ukraine,

simplify visa procedures for ROC (Taiwan) nationals, develop economic, humanitarian, and defense cooperation to the maximum. This is how all responsible members of the international community should act.

At many of our meetings in Taiwan, American Institute in Taiwan officials openly stated U.S. interest in Ukraine-Taiwan cooperation in strategic economic and defense development. I believe that this first cross-party visit of Ukrainian parliamentarians to Taiwan in two decades will be the beginning of a deep and mutually beneficial partnership. Let us seize this opportunity and double down on building the best Ukraine — together!

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About the author. Mykola Kniazhytskyi, journalist, Member of the Ukrainian Parliament.

The editorial team does not always share the opinions expressed by blog or column authors.