China Criticizes German Bundestag Delegation Visit to Taiwan

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A five-member delegation of German lawmakers arrived in Taiwan on May 25, 2026, for a four-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, despite strong objections from Beijing, which reaffirmed its stance that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China under the “One China” principle.

The delegation, led by Till Steffen, chairman of the Berlin-Taipei Parliamentary Circle of Friends and a lawmaker from Germany’s Green Party, underscored the importance of maintaining and expanding relations with Taiwan. Steffen told the German Press Agency (dpa) ahead of the visit that “there is great support for Taiwan in the German Bundestag,” adding that the country is “being watched with close attention.”

China’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, criticized the visit in a statement, urging Germany to adhere to the “One China” policy. “We demand that the relevant persons on the German side respect the one-China principle and stop sending wrong signals to Taiwan’s separatist independence forces,” Mao said. The Chinese government has repeatedly protested similar visits by foreign officials, viewing them as undermining its territorial claims over Taiwan.

Steffen dismissed Beijing’s concerns, stating that the delegation’s visit was part of “long-standing and stable relations” that Germany intends to maintain. “I would advise China not to interfere,” he said. “These are long-standing and stable relations that we have. We maintain them and we are expanding them.”

The visit follows a pattern of increasing parliamentary exchanges between Germany and Taiwan, with previous delegations traveling to the island in late 2022. At that time, China had urged Germany to cease contacts with “separatist independence forces” in Taiwan, a position it reiterated in its latest statement.

Taiwan, a self-governing democracy of approximately 23 million people, has never been ruled by the communist People’s Republic of China, which was established in 1949 after the Chinese Civil War. Beijing, however, continues to assert sovereignty over the island and has warned of potential military action to prevent formal independence.

The German government officially recognizes only the People’s Republic of China but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan, including parliamentary exchanges and economic cooperation. This dual approach has drawn criticism from Beijing while aligning with Germany’s broader strategy of balancing relations with both China and Taiwan amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

During their stay, the German delegation is scheduled to meet with Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te and other high-ranking officials to discuss areas of collaboration, including technology, trade, and security. The visit coincides with broader international support for Taiwan’s participation in global organizations, including a recent resolution by the European Parliament calling for Taiwan’s meaningful inclusion in bodies such as the World Health Organization (WHO).

China’s response to the German delegation’s visit reflects its broader diplomatic strategy of pressuring foreign governments to align with its “One China” policy. However, Germany’s continued engagement with Taiwan signals its commitment to maintaining open channels with the island, despite the risks of provoking Beijing.

As geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait remain high, the visit highlights the delicate balance Germany must navigate between economic interests in China and its democratic partnerships with Taiwan.