China has been pressuring several European states to deny entry to Taiwanese politicians, warning that allowing such visits would cross Beijing’s “red lines” and damage relations with China, according to diplomats and officials familiar with the matter.
Chinese officials have made formal and informal representations to European governments, arguing that national visa and border regulations should be used to bar Taiwanese political figures. These approaches followed visits by senior Taiwanese officials, including the vice-president, foreign minister and a former president, to multiple European countries.
Beijing has cited European entry rules for non-EU nationals, claiming that visits by Taiwanese officials could threaten a country’s international relations with China. It has urged European governments to reject Taiwanese diplomatic passports and prevent official engagements with representatives from Taipei.
The pressure has reportedly focused on visits to Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, the Netherlands, Italy, Austria, Germany, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and Ireland. China has argued that such visits undermine China–Europe relations and promote positions it opposes.
Norway and Finland confirmed they were among the countries that received Chinese communications on the issue, but said visa decisions related to Taiwan are governed by established European and Schengen frameworks. The United Kingdom said entry decisions are made solely under its own immigration laws.
Taiwan rejected China’s actions, stating that visits by its officials to Europe are legitimate and that Beijing has no right to interfere. Taipei accused China of using diplomatic pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally and said such coercive behaviour poses a greater threat to international stability.
The European Union maintains formal diplomatic ties with China while also sustaining unofficial political and economic relations with Taiwan through parliamentary exchanges and trade offices. Analysts say China’s latest moves reflect a broader strategy to discourage European states from deepening engagement with Taiwan by raising political and economic concerns.