Chinese officials have been pushing European countries to deny entry to Taiwanese politicians, warning that allowing them in would cross a 'red line' and threaten bilateral relations, according to diplomats and officials familiar with the matter.
The demarches, made to European embassies in Beijing or directly to governments via local embassies, occurred in November and December. They were partly in response to recent European trips by Taiwan's vice-president, foreign minister and a former president.
Beijing cited EU regulations, including the Schengen Borders Code, arguing that entry by Taiwanese officials would threaten member states' international relations with China. Some approaches also referenced the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and suggested following the UN's example of barring Taiwanese from government buildings.
European recipients did not view the legal advice as sound, but took note of the warning tone. The UK Foreign Office said entry decisions are determined solely by UK laws. Norway and Finland confirmed they received the advice but said visa regulations are handled by Schengen bodies.
Taiwan's foreign ministry responded that its officials' visits to Europe are 'entirely unrelated to China', and accused China of using coercive measures that undermine global peace and threaten EU interests.
