Reinhard Bütikofer is a familiar name in Europe and Taiwan relations. He has been a Member of European Parliament since 2009, where he is a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee, chairperson of the Delegation for Relations with China, and an alternate member of the Committee on International Trade. Reinhard also co-chairs IPAC, the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China.

(This conversation was recorded prior to the 2024 January 13 election in Taiwan.)

We discuss the history of Europe-Taiwan relations, how 2016 and 2019 paved the way for an increased level of engagement with Taiwan, and how Bütikofer stays hopeful (“pessimism of the intellect, and optimism of the will.”)

Plus, a quote of hope from Hong Kong pro-democracy politician, Martin Lee.

Bütikofer is the organizer of the annual Berlin Taiwan Conference. See archive video here:

2022 - “Opportunities and Challenges in Times of Geopolitical Change” (Dec 5, 6)
Day 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OeDzUT7EpB0
Day 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTrFoRWu8ow

2023 - “Taiwan before the Presidential Elections” (Nov 13,14)
Day 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fG4s_6Q_zoc
Day 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTKynM7SURs

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EPISODE CREDIT
Host / Emily Y. Wu @emilyywu
Editing / Gerald Williams
Researcher / Min Chao @wordsfromtaiwan
A Ghost Island Media production / @ghostislandme

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42. Europe and Taiwan: Reinhard Bütikofer (MEP, European Parliament)