TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The lower house of the Belgian Federal Parliament has voted in favor of a resolution condemning China’s aggressive posturing in the Taiwan Strait over recent years. 

The Chamber of Representatives passed the “Resolution on the Growing Threat Facing Taiwan” in a floor vote on Thursday, reported La Libre. The final tally was 126 to 0 in favor of the resolution with 13 abstentions. 

The resolution, sponsored by representatives Elys Van Hoof and Nathalie Muylle, criticizes China’s military exercises which are meant to intimidate Taiwan. The Chamber of Representatives urged China to stop its aggressive behavior and cease all intrusions into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone, or ADIZ. 

The Belgian representatives recognized Taiwan’s right to autonomy by declaring that Taiwan is a democracy and it is “up to the people to decide how they want to live.” The text also emphasizes support for maintaining the existing status quo and calls for constructive cross-strait dialogue. 

The chamber also advocates for Belgium to continue strengthening bilateral relations with Taiwan. It urges the government to advocate on Taiwan’s behalf with the European Union to promote the country’s greater international participation and to build resilient supply chains.

In a press release, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed Taiwan’s gratitude to lawmakers for passing the resolution. It pointed out that this is the first time Belgian lawmakers have passed such a resolution condemning China’s threats and added it shows a strong foundation for bilateral relations between Taiwan and Belgium.