September 22, 2017
No.159
Nigel Evans, MP and Chair of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, is leading a 12-member parliamentary delegation from the United Kingdom to the Republic of China (Taiwan) from September 17 to 23.
This trip will provide them a better understanding of recent developments in Taiwan’s foreign affairs; national defense policy; cross-strait relations; information and communications technology, including the Internet of Things; health care systems, and local government operations; as well as the overall Asia-Pacific landscape. They also hope to promote bilateral economic cooperation in the wake of Brexit, especially in the areas of manufacturing, tourism, and education.
The delegation will have an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen and call at the Legislative Yuan, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, National Development Council, Mainland Affairs Council, Bureau of Foreign Trade, British Office Taipei, and British Council. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taoyuan City government will hold receptions in their honor. The delegation will also visit such sites of cultural and economic interest as the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and Taroko Gorge National Park.
In recent years, Taiwan and the United Kingdom have maintained close relations in such areas as economy and trade, judicial assistance, tourism, and youth exchanges. The UK is Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Taiwan is the UK’s eighth-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific region, with bilateral trade reaching US$5.85 billion last year. In January of 2016, the UK included Taiwan in its Registered Traveler Service program. That May, the two sides signed a prisoner transfer agreement. In 2011, they began a youth exchange program, making the UK the seventh nation to ink a working holiday agreement with Taiwan. Very popular among youth of both sides, the program’s application process was further streamlined this year once the UK granted Deemed Sponsorship status to Taiwanese applicants. Taiwan and the UK will continue to enhance their ties based on this solid foundation.
Besides Mr. Evans, the delegation comprises MPs John Whittingdale, Stephen Timms, Bob Neill, Robert Halfon, Craig Whittaker, Iain Stewart, Rosie Cooper, Stephen Metcalfe, Bob Blackman, and Damien Moore. (E)