News | Announcement | EUROPEAN UNION CENTRE in TAIWAN

On 25th June, the European Union Centre in Taiwan (EUTW), together with the Republic of China (Taiwan) International Relations Association, the Association of Foreign Relations, and the European Community Studies Association Taiwan, co-hosted a virtual event featuring Sir Richard Balfe, Member of the UK House of Lords and former Member of the European Parliament. The event invited Sir Balfe to share his insights on democratic values and the challenges they face across different periods, as well as his views on the development of modern democratic alliances. The forum was held shortly after the G7 Summit in the UK, providing a timely opportunity for Taiwan to better understand how democratic countries are responding to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic—and what implications this has for the future of democracy. To deepen the discussion, Distinguished Research Fellow Chiung-Chiu Lee from the Institute of International Relations, National Chengchi University, and Associate Professor Alexander Huang from the Graduate Institute of International Affairs and Strategic Studies, Tamkang University, were invited to engage in dialogue with Sir Balfe. A follow-up discussion in Mandarin was also held to help the general public better understand the topic. The event was themed “The Evolving Challenges to Democratic Values, Building New Coalitions.” Although held online via Webex due to Taiwan’s Level 3 COVID-19 restrictions, it still attracted over 100 virtual participants. Professor Hung-dah Su, Director of EUTW, and Ambassador Jason Yuan, President of the Association of Foreign Relations, delivered opening remarks and introduced Sir Richard Balfe. As former Minister of Foreign Affairs David Lin mentioned during the forum, Sir Balfe has consistently defended democratic values both in his time as an MEP and in the House of Lords. He has strongly supported Taiwan's efforts to gain visa-free access to the Schengen Area and has attended several Taiwan-related events in person. In his talk, Sir Balfe began with his personal experiences in foreign and security policy, followed by a historical overview of the European Union’s development after World War II, examining the challenges the EU has faced at different stages. He emphasized that the essence of democracy lies in peaceful communication and people-to-people exchange—values that are strengthened through the free movement of individuals and ideas. However, he raised concerns about China’s rise and the Belt and Road Initiative, which he argued prioritizes economic control over exchange. China’s investments in European sectors like 5G, he noted, are examples of this strategic economic influence. Countries like the UK and Australia have experienced diplomatic pressure from China as a result of such investments. Sir Balfe concluded by discussing the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), describing it as a valuable alliance for defending democratic values, especially for regional countries facing external pressures. He noted that the CPTPP offers an alternative pathway for these nations. Drawing on the UK’s experience with Brexit, he emphasized that the success of such alliances hinges on minimizing repeated frustrations for participating countries. During the Q&A session, participants raised questions on how Europe views the development of the Chinese Communist Party, debates over the “Beijing Consensus” or “China Model,” and how governance efficiency during the pandemic may have created appeal in some regions. The roles of Indo-Pacific strategy, transatlantic relations, and U.S.–Russia dynamics, particularly under the Biden administration, were also seen as key issues to monitor. The UK government’s idea of forming a “D10” alliance of 10 democratic nations was also discussed, with Taiwan showing strong interest in this initiative’s future development. Although time was limited, and not all questions could be answered, the lively discussion reflected the event’s strong engagement. About the EU Centre in Taiwan The European Union Centre in Taiwan (EUTW) is a university alliance led by National Taiwan University, in partnership with National Chengchi University, National Chung Hsing University, National Sun Yat-sen University, National Dong Hwa University, Fu Jen Catholic University, and Tamkang University. It is one of several EU Centres worldwide established through agreements with the European Union. Though these centres may differ slightly in name, they all serve as official platforms for cooperation and dialogue between the EU and the local academic and civil communities. Together, they form a global and regional network of EU studies. For more information on our events and activities, please visit our website: http://www.eutw.org.tw