Taiwan Corner was the principal organizer of a trip by Dennis Wei (魏揚) and Wu Cheng (吳崢), two of the principal representatives of the Sunflower Movement, to London and Brussels in the beginning of November. We were able to meet politicians from various political parties and civil servants in both London and Brussels. We had separate meetings with three political parties in the European parliament and politicians in London at the House of Lords. We meet with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the EU’s External Action Service.
Taiwan Corner was the principal organizer of a trip by Dennis Wei (魏揚) and Wu Cheng (吳崢), two of the principal representatives of the Sunflower Movement, to London and Brussels in the beginning of November.
In order to understand the current democratic, economic and social challenges in Taiwan, we in Taiwan Corner find it crucial that the political establishment in Europe needs to have contact with representatives of the Sunflower Movement or more correctly, with social movements in Taiwan. Social movements have been concerned with these topics before and after the occupation of the Taiwanese parliament. Our aim was also to set focus on the future of Cross Strait relations which is beset by lack of transparency and support.
Dennis Wei (魏揚) to the left and Wu Cheng (吳崢) to the right.
The recent local elections on November 29 in Taiwan revealed a new political landscape in Taiwan where independent politicians and social movements are political factors that influence Taiwan’s society through activities online and offline and by being elected to political office. During the trip, it was our impression that European politicians, civil servants and academics had a genuine interest in understanding these political forces and how they try to influence Taiwan domestic politics as well as its foreign relations such as the relationship to China.
Also, it was encouraging to have direct dialogue also with those who disagree with or were skeptical about social movements and who asked, for example, if the Sunflower Movement had damaged the reputation of Taiwan’s parliament or democracy. Through direct dialogue it was possible to introduce a more sophisticated view on issues including the commonly held idea that the current state of Cross Strait relations is unquestionably good for both Taiwan and China.
We were able to meet politicians from various political parties and civil servants in both London and Brussels. We had separate meetings with three political parties in the European parliament and politicians in London at the House of Lords. We meet with the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the EU’s External Action Service.
Wu Cheng (left) and Dennis Wei (right) in fronnt of the European Parliament in Brussels.
We were able to arrange two events in London, a public meeting at the University of London Union and an academic event at the London School of Economics.
Media coverage of the trip to London and Brussels is found below.
Liberty Times
太陽花遍地開 學運領袖受邀訪歐
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/824995
台灣角：台灣傾中 將與自由說再見
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1146606
倫敦太陽花研討會 香蕉太陽花杯糕應景
https://m.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1147285
吳崢、魏揚訪歐盟 交流台灣年輕心聲
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/breakingnews/1149660
Taipei Times
Student leaders get invitations to Europe meetings
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/10/26/2003602952
Sunflower leaders spread ideals during Europe trip
https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2014/11/07/2003603890
Ketagalan Media
Wei Yang, Wu Cheng in Europe / 魏揚，吳崢歐洲訪問 (KPS)
https://www.ketagalanmedia.com/2014/11/07/wei-yang-wu-cheng-europe-%E9%AD%8F%E6%8F%9A%EF%BC%8C%E5%90%B3%E5%B4%A2%E6%AD%90%E6%B4%B2%E8%A8%AA%E5%95%8F-kps/
Taiwan Student Activists Visits London and Brussels
https://www.ketagalanmedia.com/2014/11/04/taiwan-student-activists-visits-london-brussels/
Taiwan Corner
Public event in London with Dennis Wei (魏揚) and Wu Cheng (吳崢)
https://taiwancorner.org/?p=1710
Seminar at London School of Economics – Dennis Wei (魏揚) and Wu Cheng (吳崢)
https://taiwancorner.org/?p=1727
