China presses EU states over visas for Taiwanese politicians

China has stepped up pressure on EU member states in recent months, urging them to deny entry and visas to representatives of Taiwan’s authorities, citing EU border control rules. According to reports, Chinese diplomats have circulated “legal advice” to European governments, warning against crossing Beijing’s political “red line”.

As reported by The Guardian, the démarches took place in November and December 2025 and included both diplomatic notes and direct contacts with EU embassies in Beijing as well as with governments in European capitals. The pressure was reportedly triggered in part by visits to Europe by senior Taiwanese figures, including the sitting vice president, the foreign minister and a former president.

Beijing cites the Schengen Borders Code

In its communications, China argued that the Schengen Borders Code allows EU countries to refuse entry to third-country nationals if their presence could pose a risk to the international relations of any member state.

Under Beijing’s interpretation, allowing Taiwanese officials to enter EU territory could damage bilateral relations with China. In diplomatic notes, Chinese authorities called on European governments not to recognise Taiwanese diplomatic passports and to deny entry to both current and former Taiwanese leaders. Finland and Norway have confirmed receiving such messages from Beijing.

China also pointed to previous visits by Taiwanese representatives to countries including Belgium, the Czech Republic, Poland, Germany, Italy, Austria, the Netherlands, Lithuania, Denmark, Estonia and Ireland, describing them as actions that seriously undermine relations between China and the EU.