August 30, 2023
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) notes that the United Kingdom House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee on August 30 published a report on the United Kingdom’s Indo-Pacific Tilt policy. The report, entitled Tilting horizons: the Integrated Review and the Indo-Pacific, focuses on and urges the UK government to adopt a more proactive and whole-of-government approach toward China by pursuing deterrence diplomacy and combining security, defense, and foreign policy, as well as other resources so as to alleviate the risks to UK sovereignty and interests from China.
Pointing out that Taiwan is already an independent country, the report calls on the UK government to help ensure that Taiwan is free from Chinese military threats and to support Taiwan’s right to self-determination. It also states that the UK government should follow the United States and Japan in exchanging high-level visits with Taiwan, enhance economic and trade cooperation, and support Taiwan’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. MOFA sincerely welcomes the UK Parliament’s concern over the evolving Indo-Pacific landscape and the growing threats from China. It also thanks the UK Parliament for supporting Taiwan’s status and international participation.
The United Kingdom, a like-minded partner, has worked with Taiwan to deepen cooperation across a number of domains, including the economy, trade, and investment; the semiconductor and offshore wind industries; science and technology; and education. MP Alicia Kearns, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and MP Bob Stewart, Chair of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, recently led delegations to Taiwan in a marked demonstration of staunch support for Taiwan. MOFA will continue to promote comprehensive exchanges and cooperation between Taiwan and the United Kingdom, thereby advancing the prosperity of both countries and the welfare of their peoples.