Press Release from Taiwan Corner
“China is threatening Taiwan economically, and military threats have become almost a daily occurrence in Taiwan. China has just completed a large-scale military exercise around Taiwan. At the same time, revelations in Berlingske can leave the impression that Denmark considers Taiwan a part of China. Is it really Denmark’s position that Taiwan’s 24 million people, who live in a full democracy, should be subjected to China’s authoritarian regime?
Since March, Denmark’s Foreign Minister has been investigating how Taiwanese citizens are registered in Denmark, but the situation seems worse today. The reason is that a Taiwanese citizen has received a residence card showing that the person is Chinese and not Taiwanese. Furthermore, an email shows that this is Denmark’s practice. Whether this practice will be changed depends on the Foreign Ministry’s investigation. It is not a mitigating circumstance that some Taiwanese are correctly registered with the designation ‘Taiwan.’ You don’t gamble with people’s nationality, and Denmark’s practice indicates a disorganized administration,” says Michael Danielsen, Chairman of Taiwan Corner.
Denmark is acting alone within the EU by registering Taiwanese as Chinese.
“Before 2024, all Taiwanese were registered with the nationality of Taiwan and place of birth as Taiwan. Earlier this year, the registration was changed to nationality China and place of birth Taiwan. Now, Taiwanese are being registered with the nationality China and place of birth China. The big question is, who made the decision to change Denmark’s practice? And what is the reason for this change? No other country in the EU does what Denmark is doing,” says Michael Danielsen.
If this change in practice is upheld, it will be a major paradigm shift in Denmark’s policy.
“Denmark’s one-China policy is quite simple. Namely, that we recognize the People’s Republic of China as China, but we make no statement about Taiwan’s status in relation to China. Therefore, Denmark does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. If this change in practice, introduced this year, is maintained, then Denmark’s policy will more closely align with the People’s Republic of China’s so-called one-China principle, which claims that Taiwan is part of China. Is this really Denmark’s contribution to democracy in the world, to subject 24 million people to China’s authoritarian regime?” asks Michael Danielsen.
References
Newspaper Berlingske Friday October 18 2024: ”Løkke sagde, at han ville se på Taiwan-sag. Herfra blev det kun værre” af Alexander Sjöberg.
Newspaper Berlingske Tuesday July 2.2024: ”Knæfald for Kina? Ministerium har endnu ikke løst sårbar sag. Medmindre det benytter den “hemmelige mulighed”
Taipei Times Wednesday March 27: ”Denmark’s shifting Taiwan policy” af Michael Danielsen, formand for Taiwan Corner
Taiwan Corner Sunday March 24 2024: ”Danmark behandler Taiwan som en del af Kina?” af Michael Danielsen, formand for Taiwan Corner
Newspaper Berlingske Sunday marts 24 2024: ”De er fra Taiwan, men Danmark registrerer dem, som er de fra Kina” af Alexander Sjöberg og Tobias Reinwald.
