2026-04-012025/26:UU7 · p.6UUForeign affairs
Taiwan
Sweden's relations with Taiwan
What's at stake: China pressures countries that deepen official contacts with Taiwan, so the question concerns the balance between strengthening ties with Taiwan and not straining Sweden's broader China policy. It affects both Taiwan's international standing and Sweden's relationship with China.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether Sweden should now deepen bilateral ties with Taiwan, including through a dedicated Swedish presence there and by working for Taiwan's participation in more international organisations, or whether the current form of relations should remain unchanged.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee recommends rejecting the proposals, pointing among other things to its established position that questions about the forms of Swedish representation abroad and changes to foreign representation are a matter for the government rather than for parliamentary declarations.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 11 (V, C, MP)
V, C and MP want Sweden to deepen relations with Taiwan, including by having the government establish a House of Sweden in Taiwan and broaden bilateral cooperation, and by working for Taiwan to be admitted to more multilateral organisations. The reasoning is continued Chinese military, diplomatic and economic pressure on Taiwan, which the reservation's authors say shows that China does not respect the international rules-based order.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 11 by V, C, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | Yes | No 0/17/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 89/1/0/16 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | No | Yes 55/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 59/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Broke with the party line
| SMarkus Selin (S, Stockholms län) | No — party line: Yes |
MPs whose vote differs from their party's majority position in this division. Marked with a dark ring in the chamber view.
Committee proposal
Parliament rejects the motion 2025/26:3729 by Kerstin Lundgren et al. (C) points 41 and 42.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2025/26:3729 av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C) yrkandena 41 och 42.
Riksdag decision: Parliament rejected approximately 125 proposals in motions from the general motion periods 2024 and 2025 concerning international relations, in part against the backdrop of the government's ongoing work in these matters. The proposals concern, among other things, the direction of foreign policy, the organization and mandate of the Foreign Ministry, relations with African countries, Western Sahara, Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants Swedish foreign policy to increase its focus on development agenda and climate agenda. (V, C, MP) — Reservation 11
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan's central foreign policy commitment is that Sweden should be able to act independently from great powers such as the USA, China, and Russia in order not to be drawn into geopolitical conflicts, and the party stands for peace and de-escalation over militarization.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's central foreign policy commitment is that Sweden should be able to act independently from great powers such as the USA, China, and Russia in order not to be drawn into geopolitical conflicts, and the party stands for peace and de-escalation over militarization. Establishing a special Swedish presence in Taiwan and pushing for Taiwan's entry into more organizations is a step into a great power conflict. The principle of national self-determination pulls in another direction, so the assessment is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planens bärande utrikespolitiska åtagande är att Sverige ska kunna agera självständigt från stormakter som USA, Kina och Ryssland för att inte dras in i geopolitiska konflikter, och partiet står för fred och deeskalering framför militarisering. Att inrätta en särskild svensk närvaro i Taiwan och driva på för Taiwans inträde i fler organisationer är ett steg in i en stormaktskonflikt. Principen om nationellt självbestämmande drar åt andra hållet, varför bedömningen är osäker.
- avoid geopolitical conflictsdecisive»Det är viktigt att Sverige kan agera självständigt från stormakter som« (party programme ↗)“It is important that Sweden can act independently from great powers such as”
- peace and de-escalation»och deeskalering. Vi vänder oss emot militarisering och kapprustning.« (party programme ↗)“and de-escalation. We oppose militarization and arms races.”
- conflicts are complex processes»Vår utgångspunkt är att politiska konflikter i andra länder är komplexa« (party programme ↗)“Our starting point is that political conflicts in other countries are complex”
- national self-determination»regioner ska ges möjlighet att kontrollera sin produktion, sina finansiella flöden och sina naturresurser.« (party programme ↗)“regions should be given the opportunity to control their production, their financial flows, and their natural resources.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan does not address Sweden's ties with Taiwan.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address Sweden's ties with Taiwan. The nearest principle is that the party wants to promote democracy and combat oppression in all parts of the world, defend a rules-based world order and promote Swedish exports and free trade, which speaks for deepened ties with a democracy under military and economic pressure. However, the basis is weak and the position is derived from general principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte Sveriges förbindelser med Taiwan. Närmast liggande princip är att partiet vill främja demokratin och bekämpa förtryck i alla delar av världen, försvara en regelbaserad världsordning och främja svensk export och frihandel, vilket talar för fördjupade förbindelser med en demokrati under militär och ekonomisk press. Underlaget är dock svagt och ställningstagandet härlett ur allmänna principer.
- promote democracy globallydecisive»främja demokratin och bekämpa förtryck och ofrihet i alla delar av världen.« (party programme ↗)“promote democracy and combat oppression and unfreedom in all parts of the world.”
- rules-based world order»Försvar för folkrätten och en regelbaserad världsordning.« (party programme ↗)“Defence of international law and a rules-based world order.”
- promote trade and exports»Insatser för att främja svensk export, värna frihandeln och motverka protektionism.« (party programme ↗)“Efforts to promote Swedish exports, safeguard free trade and counter protectionism.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan asserts that all countries regardless of size have equal right to shape their own future and that power must not be abused to pressure others, and that Sweden shall be a driving force for democracy within international organisations.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan asserts that all countries regardless of size have equal right to shape their own future and that power must not be abused to pressure others, and that Sweden shall be a driving force for democracy within international organisations. Deepening relations with Taiwan and working for its participation in more multilateral organisations follows from these commitments, particularly given military and economic pressure. The plan does not mention Taiwan, which is why the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla länder oavsett storlek har lika rätt att forma sin egen framtid och att makt inte får missbrukas för att pressa andra, samt att Sverige ska vara en pådrivare för demokrati inom internationella organisationer. Att fördjupa förbindelserna med Taiwan och verka för dess deltagande i fler multilaterala organisationer följer av dessa åtaganden, särskilt mot bakgrund av militär och ekonomisk press. Planen nämner inte Taiwan, varför ställningstagandet är härlett.
- equal right to shape their futuredecisive»Vi vill se en värld där alla länder, oavsett storlek, har lika rätt att forma sin egen framtid och där makt inte missbrukas för att exploatera andra.« (party programme ↗)“We wish to see a world where all countries, regardless of size, have equal right to shape their own future and where power is not abused to exploit others.”
- driving force for democracy»Vi ska vara en pådrivare för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter både inom internationella organisationer och i samarbeten mellan stater.« (party programme ↗)“We shall be a driving force for democracy and human rights both within international organisations and in cooperation between states.”
- support for self-determination»Vi kommer alltid att stötta människors strävan efter frihet och självbestämmande.« (party programme ↗)“We will always support people's pursuit of freedom and self-determination.”
The plan does not mention Taiwan, but states that the struggle between liberal democracy and authoritarian forces must be won and that foreign policy ultimately aims to uphold universal human freedoms and rights.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not mention Taiwan, but states that the struggle between liberal democracy and authoritarian forces must be won and that foreign policy ultimately aims to uphold universal human freedoms and rights. Deepened ties with a threatened democracy and support for its participation in international bodies follow from that principle, as does the promise to open up more markets for Swedish trade.
Original (Swedish)
Planen nämner inte Taiwan, men slår fast att kampen mellan den liberala demokratin och auktoritära krafter måste vinnas och att utrikespolitiken ytterst syftar till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter. Fördjupade förbindelser med en hotad demokrati och stöd för dess deltagande i internationella organ följer av den principen, liksom av löftet att öppna fler marknader för svensk handel.
- stand up for democraciesdecisive»Runtom i världen pågår en kamp mellan anhängare av den liberala demokratin och auktoritära krafter. Den måste vi vinna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Around the world, a struggle is taking place between supporters of liberal democracy and authoritarian forces. We must win it.”
- human rights as foreign policy goal»Utrikes- och säkerhetspolitiken syftar ytterst till att värna universella mänskliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Foreign and security policy ultimately aims to uphold universal human freedoms and rights.”
- open more markets»Sverige klarar sig inte utan frihandel. Öppna upp fler marknader för svenska varor och tjänster.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden cannot manage without free trade. Open up more markets for Swedish goods and services.”
- do not compromise on ideals»inte kompromissar med våra ideal utan förenas i en strävan efter alla människors fri- och rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“do not compromise with our ideals but unite in a pursuit of all people's freedoms and rights”
The election manifesto points out the threat from China as something that must be met and requires trade and promotion policy without naivety towards Chinese power politics, within a framework of explicitly values-driven foreign policy.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto points out the threat from China as something that must be met and requires trade and promotion policy without naivety towards Chinese power politics, within a framework of explicitly values-driven foreign policy. Deepening relations with Taiwan, establishing a Swedish presence there and working for Taiwan's participation in more multilateral organizations follow from these commitments. The plan wants Sweden to do much more for freedoms and rights and cooperation in the free world.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet pekar ut hotet från Kina som något som måste mötas och kräver en handels- och främjandepolitik utan naivitet inför kinesisk maktpolitik, inom ramen för en uttalat värderingsstyrd utrikespolitik. Att fördjupa relationerna med Taiwan, etablera en svensk närvaro där och verka för Taiwans deltagande i fler multilaterala organisationer följer av dessa åtaganden. Planen vill att Sverige gör mycket mer för fri- och rättigheter och samarbete i den fria världen.
- counter the threat from Chinadecisive»Globalt behöver försvarsalliansen vidare stärka sitt arbete mot hotet från Kina.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Globally the defense alliance needs to further strengthen its work against the threat from China.”
- no naivety towards China»Handels- och främjandepolitiken ska stärka Sverige som aktör för en friare värld och dra nytta av frihandelns fördelar utan den naivitet som alltför länge uppvisats för kinesisk och rysk maktpolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Trade and promotion policy shall strengthen Sweden as an actor for a freer world and take advantage of the benefits of free trade without the naivety that has been shown too long towards Chinese and Russian power politics.”
- values-driven foreign policy»Därför vill vi att Sverige gör mycket mer, både som enskilt land och inom internationella samarbeten, för fri- och rättigheter, frihandel, fria val och samarbete i den fria världen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore we want Sweden to do much more, both as an individual country and within international cooperation, for freedoms and rights, free trade, free choices and cooperation in the free world.”
- support for democracies»Demokratier startar inte krig mot andra demokratier.« (party programme ↗)“Democracies do not start wars against other democracies.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan makes promoting peace, freedom, democracy and human rights a task of Swedish foreign policy and is based on the principle of international law that peoples have equal rights and self-determination.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes promoting peace, freedom, democracy and human rights a task of Swedish foreign policy and is based on the principle of international law that peoples have equal rights and self-determination. Deepening relations with Taiwan and working for participation in multilateral organizations follows from this, particularly when the country is subjected to military and economic pressure. The forms of Swedish representation are not addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör främjandet av fred, frihet, demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter till svensk utrikespolitiks uppgift och bygger på folkrättens princip att folk har lika rättigheter och självbestämmanderätt. Att fördjupa förbindelserna med Taiwan och verka för deltagande i multilaterala organisationer följer av detta, särskilt när landet utsätts för militär och ekonomisk press. Formerna för svensk representation behandlas inte i dokumenten.
- democracy-promoting foreign policydecisive»Svensk utrikespolitik ska främja fred, frihet, demokrati och utveckling« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall promote peace, freedom, democracy and development”
- peoples' self-determination»naturliga gemenskaper med lika rättigheter och självbestämmanderätt« (party programme ↗)“natural communities with equal rights and self-determination”
- aggression must not pay»Aggression får aldrig löna sig« (party programme ↗)“Aggression must never pay”
- human rights as foreign policy goal»främja mänskliga rättigheter och demokrati« (party programme ↗)“promote human rights and democracy”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme states that large authoritarian countries shall not be able to play individual small Western democracies against each other and that Swedish foreign policy shall protect Swedish interests, while the election manifesto prioritizes measures for democracy and human rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme states that large authoritarian countries shall not be able to play individual small Western democracies against each other and that Swedish foreign policy shall protect Swedish interests, while the election manifesto prioritizes measures for democracy and human rights. Deepening ties with Taiwan and working for its participation in multilateral bodies under Chinese pressure follows from these commitments. The plan does not mention Taiwan, which is why the conclusion is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att stora auktoritära länder inte ska kunna spela ut enskilda små västerländska demokratier mot varandra och att svensk utrikespolitik ska värna svenska intressen, medan valmanifestet prioriterar insatser för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter. Att fördjupa banden med Taiwan och verka för dess deltagande i multilaterala organ under kinesiskt tryck följer av dessa åtaganden. Planen nämner inte Taiwan, varför slutsatsen är härledd.
- resist authoritarian pressuredecisive»Stora auktoritära länder ska inte kunna spela ut enskilda små västerländska demokratier mot varandra.« (party programme ↗)“Large authoritarian countries shall not be able to play individual small Western democracies against each other.”
- support for democracy»Prioritera insatser som stödjer arbetet för demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Prioritize measures that support work for democracy and human rights”
- Swedish interests guideweak support»Svensk utrikespolitik ska värna svenska intressen.« (party programme ↗)“Swedish foreign policy shall protect Swedish interests.”
- resist foreign power»Ge företag som är engagerade i säkerhetskänslig verksamhet bättre stöd från staten att kunna möta cyberattacker, spionage och stöldförsök från främmande makt« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Give companies engaged in security-sensitive activities better support from the state to meet cyberattacks, espionage and theft attempts from foreign powers”
flags: citat_svagt
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants Sweden to be a clear voice for the Western democratic model and is drawing up a policy that prevents Chinese expansion, while simultaneously strengthening trade and Swedish export presence.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants Sweden to be a clear voice for the Western democratic model and is drawing up a policy that prevents Chinese expansion, while simultaneously strengthening trade and Swedish export presence. Deepened ties and Swedish presence in Taiwan follow from both of these commitments. The party programme's universal nationalism also grants all nations the same freedom as Sweden demands for itself.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill att Sverige är en tydlig röst för den västerländska demokratimodellen och tar fram en politik som hindrar kinesiska framflyttningar, samtidigt som handel och svensk exportnärvaro ska stärkas. Fördjupade förbindelser och en svensk närvaro i Taiwan följer av båda dessa åtaganden. Partiprogrammets universella nationalism tillerkänner dessutom alla nationer samma frihet som den svenska kräver för sig.
- counter Chinese pressuredecisive»En tydlig Arktispolitik ska tas fram som hindrar ryska och kinesiska framflyttningar och bejakar svenska ekonomiska intressen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A clear Arctic policy shall be drawn up that prevents Russian and Chinese expansion and embraces Swedish economic interests.”
- support for democracies»Vara en tydlig röst för den västerländska demokratimodellen och mänskliga fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Be a clear voice for the Western democratic model and human freedoms and rights”
- strengthened trade presence»Förbättra Sveriges ställning på den internationella marknaden och i handel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Improve Sweden's position on the international market and in trade”
- all nations' freedom»Sverigedemokraternas nationalism är universell i den bemärkelsen att vi tillerkänner alla« (party programme ↗)“Sweden Democrats' nationalism is universal in the sense that we grant all”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
Share and embed
Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:UU7)
- Committee report full text (HD01UU7)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:3107 — Internationell samverkan av Morgan Johansson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2024/25:3162 — Internationellt samarbete i en utmanande tid av Kerstin Lundgren m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2024/25:529 — Inrättande av en ambassadör för religionsfrihet av Yusuf Aydin och Magnus Berntsson (båda KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1028 — Ett land i förändring av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1033 — Sveriges utrikes-, säkerhets- och försvarspolitik av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1047 — Solidaritet och internationellt samarbete av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1053 — Avskaffande av vetorätten i FN:s säkerhetsråd av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1065 — Frige Gui Minhai av Lawen Redar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1074 — Inrättande av ett hbtqi-sändebud av Daniel Vencu Velasquez Castro (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1120 — Kinas ökande makt av Anne-Li Sjölund och Niels Paarup-Petersen (båda C)
- Motion 2025/26:122 — Israels ansvar för mordet på Folke Bernadotte av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1305 — Svensk och europeisk Afrikastrategi av Dzenan Cisija (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1487 — Åtgärder för att stärka kampen mot terrorism och dess finansiering av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:161 — Forensisk utredning av omkomna på Dag Hammarskjölds plan av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1910 — En ny internationell Östersjömyndighet med säte i Karlskrona av Magnus Manhammar (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1928 — Republiken Kinas deltagande i FN:s underorganisationer av Boriana Åberg och Gustaf Göthberg (båda M)
- Motion 2025/26:2009 — Frigivande av Dawit Isaak av Magnus Oscarsson (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:2225 — Taiwans deltagande i internationella sammanhang av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:2229 — Kinas tolkning av resolution 2758 av Magnus Berntsson (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:2232 — Frigivande av Ahmadreza Djalali av Magnus Oscarsson (KD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament