Author: Taiwan APPG

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 185238, tabled on 16 May 2023

Question
Daniel Kawczynski
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his department plans to provide (a) financial and (b) other support to Taiwan.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
23 May 2023

The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed: The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values. The UK-Taiwan relationship delivers significant benefits to both sides and has featured a wide range of exchanges and visits, for example on environmental, judicial and educational issues. We also support Taiwanese meaningful participation in international organisations, as a member where statehood is not a prerequisite, and as an observer or guest where it is.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 184307, tabled on 10 May 2023

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he plans to visit the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the next 12 months.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
16 May 2023

No visit to Taiwan is planned by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs. The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 184308, tabled on 10 May 2023

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps he is taking to enhance the relationship between the UK and the Republic of China (Taiwan).

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
16 May 2023

The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but does have a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values. We continue to engage with Taiwan on economic, trade, education and cultural ties. This relationship delivers significant benefits to both the UK and Taiwan and has featured a wide range of exchanges and visits, for example on judicial, health and educational issues.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN HL7570, tabled on 2 May 2023

Question
Lord Alton of Liverpool
Crossbench

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to discuss the continuing threats to the freedom of the people of Taiwan and, in particular, their right to democracy and self-determination, with the Vice-President of China, Han Zheng, during his visit to London for the Coronation.

Answer
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Conservative

Answered on
15 May 2023

The Foreign Secretary met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on 5 May and set out the UK’s views on Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Government’s approach is to engage constructively with China while steadfastly defending our national security and our values. We will continue to raise human rights issues directly with China. Similarly, we will continue to use our channels with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to make clear our strong opposition to the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, the deliberate targeting of opposition voices and China’s ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The UK’s longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 181576, tabled on 19 April 2023

Question
Sir Iain Duncan Smith
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his policy is on (a) the status of Taiwan as a state and (b) peace in Taiwan.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
27 April 2023

The UK’s longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK acknowledges the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of China. The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 174220, tabled on 27 March 2023

Question
Fabian Hamilton
Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had recent discussions with his Honduran counterpart on Taiwanese independence.

Answer
David Rutley
Conservative

Answered on
30 March 2023

Honduran recognition policy is a matter for the Honduran Government. The UK’s long-standing position remains that the Taiwan issue should be settled peacefully by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through dialogue, and not through any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 127860, tabled on 19 January 2023

Question
Catherine West
Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has held discussions with the (a) Chancellor of the Exchequer and (b) Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on the potential impact on the British economy of third-country military action against Taiwan.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
24 January 2023

Our approach towards China and the Indo-Pacific is coordinated across Government at the highest level. Work is underway to update the Integrated Review to ensure we continue to invest in the alliances and capabilities we need, while strengthening our supply chain security and economic resilience. The UK’s longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 106371, tabled on 8 December 2022

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department plans to take steps to provide naval patrols around Taiwan.

Answer
James Heappey
Conservative

Answered on
15 December 2022

The UK is committed to asserting its rights to freedom of navigation and overflight, as laid out in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. Wherever we operate in the world we do so in full compliance with international laws and norms. The last transit through the Taiwan Strait was carried out by the Royal Navy in 2021, when HMS Richmond (Type 23 Frigate) conducted a Taiwan Strait Navigation during CSG21 deployment en route to Vietnam.

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 106370, tabled on 8 December 2022

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if his Department will take steps to provide military aid to Taiwan.

Answer
James Heappey
Conservative

Answered on
15 December 2022

The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed: we have no diplomatic or military relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on deep and growing ties in a wide range of areas, and underpinned by shared democratic values.