October 25, 2023
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) of the Republic of China (Taiwan) notes the publication of the UK Defence and the Indo-Pacific report by the House of Commons Defence Committee on October 24. Reviewing the UK government’s defense policies since the launch of its Indo-Pacific Tilt in 2021, the report supports the UK government’s position that China represents “an epoch-defining and systemic challenge.” It also addresses China’s intent to confront Taiwan and the long-term strategic threat that China poses to the international rules-based order. Taiwan is mentioned 40 times in the report, demonstrating the UK parliament’s high regard for the Taiwan Strait issue.
The report further states that “within the Indo-Pacific region, possible conflict between China and Taiwan in the coming years is the most pressing and urgent concern for many western governments,” and cites an April 2023 media interview in which Minister of Foreign Affairs Jaushieh Joseph Wu said that Taiwan was preparing for possible conflict with China in 2027.
The report goes on to express concern over the possibility that Taiwan may also be subjected to an economic blockade or hybrid gray-zone attacks. Stressing that Taiwan produces 92 percent of the world’s most advanced semiconductor chips and that 48 percent of the world’s operational container ships passed through the Taiwan Strait in 2022, the report adds that any conflict over or blockade affecting Taiwan would have an impact on both the global and UK economies. It urges the UK government to pursue closer cooperation with partners, including the United States and France, and regional allies, to prepare for a range of actions by China against Taiwan.
MOFA is pleased to see that following the UK government’s publication of the 2023 Integrated Review Refresh in March, the UK parliament has followed-up with successive reports, including the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee’s Tilting Horizons report in August, further demonstrating concern and support for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan will continue to strengthen cooperation with the United Kingdom and like-minded partners around the world, jointly safeguarding economic security, democratic resilience, and the global order of peace and prosperity.