TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Four Danish members of parliament (MPs) have defied protests by Beijing to visit Taiwan and discussed Denmark's requirement that Taiwanese identify as Chinese on their identification documents.
The MPs from three political parties are on a visit to Taiwan that runs from Sunday to Saturday (Nov. 10-16), reported Danish newspaper Berlingske on Tuesday (Nov. 12). The delegation is being led by Pia Kjaersgaard, who is a former speaker of the Danish Parliament and current head of the Danish Parliament's Taiwan Friendship Association, which organized the trip.
The three other MPs in the delegation are Mikkel Bjorn of the Danish People's Party, Steffen Larsen of the Liberal Alliance, and Kim Aas of the Social Democrats. They are joined by Henrik Thorup, an advisor to the Danish People's Party.
On Monday, the MPs met with National Security Council Secretary-general Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) and discussed China's expansion, Taiwan's international participation, and trade between the two countries, per Newtalk. Wu thanked the delegation for showing support for Taiwan.
Berlingske cited Kjaersgaard as saying, “Taiwan really needs countries that give them their support" as there is “no doubt that they (Taiwanese) feel very threatened.”
Larsen added, “It's all about showing Taiwan that we are on their side against red China.”
In response to the visit, Berlanske received an email from China's embassy in Copenhagen which read, "Despite China's strong opposition, some members of the Danish parliament visited the Chinese region of Taiwan. (...) China is strongly against this action."
According to Berlingske Asia correspondent, Alexander Sjoberg, there are indications the delegation will “turn a deaf ear to” Beijing's protests and will meet with President Lai Ching-te (賴清德) on Friday.
Among the matters the MPs plan on discussing is the Danish government requirement that Taiwanese nationals living in the country list their nationality and birthplace as China. "I have asked questions about it (in the Danish parliament) many times. But each time the foreign minister has postponed it," said Kjaersgaard.
Larsen described the policy as “nonsense.” He also warned there is a risk that Danish authorities will “start handing over citizens to Beijing. It's completely insane if that happens.”
Kjaersgaard added that after she returns from Taiwan she will discuss the issue with Denmark's foreign minister. She said that the time has come to support Taiwan.
Larsen agreed, saying, “We will have to show the West that there are friends of Taiwan in this world.” He added, “China can't just make all of Southeast Asia their vassal state.”