International News

EU delegation visits Taiwan

Sentinel Digital Desk

NEW DELHI: The visit by the EU Parliament delegation to Taiwan on November 3 has been a landmark event in terms of making a dent in China's ever-ambitious plans to project the 'One China policy' and deter Taiwan from engaging in foreign relations activities. The 7-member European Union (EU) delegation, which is the first of its kind from EU to Taiwan has a special significance as the delegation members form part of the EU's Special Committee for Foreign Interference in all Democratic Processes.

The delegation interacted with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and Premier Su Tseng-chang besides other top leaders during the three-day visit.

As China indulges in aggressive posturing in its near abroad region, the sparks of such activities are beginning to have a reverse effect on China. There is an increasing sign among nations to come together to protest China's aggressive approach.

In the past, attempts by China's ambassadors and representatives of the Chinese media abroad to challenge local media rhetoric against China only led to a negative drift against them.

In most such instances where Chinese diplomats and officials objected to media projections in different countries against China portraying certain negative aspects based on facts, the local reaction has been extremely severe leading to strong anti-China sentiments in the media and government circles in these countries. In some cases Chinese diplomats crossed the line of diplomatic etiquette using brash and strong language against the local media. The shift from a soft approach to a more aggressive posturing by representatives of the Chinese government abroad earned them the nom-de-plume 'Wolf Warriors'.

The Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye was sounded by the French Foreign Ministry for having defended China's position on COVID-19 and criticising the West's handling of the pandemic. Earlier, during a posting to Canada Shaye had accused the Canadian media as well. The Chinese Ambassador to Nepal Hou Yangqi has on a number of occasions telephonically called up Media heads to convey a strong message against any article written by them that portrays China in a negative light. (IANS)

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