Sweden–Taiwan relations

Swedish–Taiwanese relations
Map indicating locations of Sweden and Taiwan

Sweden
Taiwan

Sweden–Taiwan relations refers to bilateral relations between Sweden (officially the Kingdom of Sweden) and Taiwan (officially the Republic of China).

Swedish and Taiwanese Flags

History

Sweden–Taiwan relations strengthened following Taiwan's democratization and the end of authoritarian rule.[1]

In April 2022, a delegation of Swedish parliamentarians visited Taiwan.[2]

In Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson's first parliamentary address in 2022 he expressed concerns about the threat posed to Taiwan by China.[3]

In February 2023, the Taiwan-Four Nordic Countries Parliamentary Friendship Association was stood up to coordinate parliamentary relations between Taiwan and the Nordic countries of Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.[2]

In May 2023, a delegation of Swedish parliamentarians including Markus Wiechel, Sara Gille, Nima Gholam Ali Pour, and Rasmus Giertz visited Taiwan.[3][4] While in Taiwan Wiechel called for greater participation in international organizations for Taiwan saying "The fact that Taiwan is excluded from a number of international organizations -- and this despite the fact that most of the free world considers Taiwan a significant international player in trade, diplomacy and democracy -- is of course completely unacceptable."[5]

Representation

The Taiwan Friendship Group is one of the largest groups in the Swedish Riksdag.[2]

Swedish Trade and Invest Council

The Swedish Trade and Invest Council represents Swedish interests in Taiwan. Swedish lawmakers have proposed renaming it to "House of Sweden."[6]

Taipei Mission in Sweden

The Taipei Mission in Sweden represents Taiwanese interests in Sweden.

See also

References

  1. ^ Chen, Julie Yu-Wen; Lodén, Torbjörn. "Slowly Taking Off: Nordic-Taiwan Relations". isdp.eu. Institute for Security & Development Policy. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Tzu-hsuan, Liu (25 February 2023). "New Zealand, Nordic groups to boost culture, economic ties". taipeitimes.com. Taipei Times. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  3. ^ a b Yeh, Joseph (15 May 2023). "Swedish parliamentarians arrive in Taiwan to meet with President Tsai". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  4. ^ Chen, Kelvin (15 May 2023). "Swedish lawmakers arrive in Taiwan". taiwannews.com.tw. Taiwan News. Retrieved 15 May 2023.
  5. ^ Pei-ju, Teng (18 May 2023). "Taiwan's exclusion from int'l bodies 'unacceptable': Swedish lawmaker". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  6. ^ Deeon, Jaqueline (28 April 2022). "'House of Sweden' in Taiwan symbolizes expansion of diplomatic work". scandasia.com. ScandAsia. Retrieved 15 May 2023.