Author: Taiwan APPG

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 106342, 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 training for Taiwanese soldiers.

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.

Question for Home Office
UIN 105351, tabled on 7 December 2022

Question
Jim Shannon
Democratic Unionist Party

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what steps her Department has taken to help protect people who have fled from (a) Hong Kong, (b) Taiwan and (c) authoritarian regimes.

Answer
Robert Jenrick
Conservative

Answered on
14 December 2022

On 31 January 2021 the UK Government opened the BN(O) route for BN(O) status holders in Hong Kong. As of 30 September, over 1️4️4️,0️0️0️ visas been granted so far on the Hong Kong British National (Overseas) route (BN(O)). The route gives them and their eligible family members the opportunity to live, study and work in the UK on a pathway to citizenship. On 30 November 2022 the BN(O) route was expanded to allow the adult children of BN(O) status holders who were born on or after 1 July 1997 and are aged 18 or over the ability to apply to the route independently of their BN(O) parents. They will need to meet all remaining requirements of the route.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 94735, tabled on 23 November 2022

Question
Jack Lopresti
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, with reference to the Secretary of State for Defence’s oral evidence to the International Relations Committee on 1st November, whether it is his Department’s policy to recognise China’s claims of sovereignty over Taiwan.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
5 December 2022

Our longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. The UK does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, but shares a vibrant unofficial relationship, based on dynamic commercial, educational and cultural ties. 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 69545, tabled on 24 October 2022

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of China’s policy towards Taiwan; and if he will make a statement.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
1 November 2022

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. China’s military exercises in response to the visit of US Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan were de-stabilising, and formed part of a pattern of escalatory Chinese activity, which includes a growing number of military flights near Taiwan. We do not support any activity that risks destabilising the status quo.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 65771, tabled on 18 October 2022

Question
Jim Shannon
Democratic Unionist Party

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his US counterpart on support for the US sending troops to Taiwan to defend against potential Chinese invasion.

Answer
Leo Docherty
Conservative

Answered on
26 October 2022

The UK’s longstanding policy 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. We are concerned by any activity that risks destabilising the status quo.

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN HL2299, tabled on 8 September 2022

Question
Lord Rogan
Ulster Unionist Party

To ask His Majesty’s Government whether the Prime Minister has spoken to President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan following her appointment; and if not, what plans she has to do so.

Answer
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park
Conservative

Answered on
22 September 2022

The Prime Minister has not spoken to President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, and currently has no plans to do so.

 

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 48280, tabled on 6 September 2022

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, with reference to page 67 of the Integrated Review 2021 and the escalation of tensions on the Taiwan border, what recent assessment his Department has made of the adequacy of the UK’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Answer
James Heappey
Conservative

Answered on
13 September 2022

The Integrated Review recognises that the Indo-Pacific region is at the centre of intensifying geopolitical competition with multiple potential flashpoints. The recent actions and remarks made by China on Taiwan are concerning. We will continue to encourage open communication and de-escalation.

The Ministry of Defence regularly reviews UK global defence posture and capabilities to take account of emerging threats and crises. We have not made an assessment as to the adequacy of the UK’s military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. However, we are strengthening defence and security cooperation, increasing our engagement with regional security groupings and exercising with the US, Australia and regional partners, including through the Five Powers Defence Arrangements (FPDA) members.

Our maritime presence in the region has grown, with the deployment of two Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) as part of our persistent presence approach. The joint UK and US defence facility on the British Indian Ocean Territory plays a vital role in our efforts to keep the region secure and we retain a permanent presence in Brunei, through the Resident Infantry Battalion.

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN 47386, tabled on 5 September 2022

Question
Andrew Rosindell
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment his Department has made of Taiwan’s CBRN resilience in light of the recent escalations at the Taiwan border.

Answer
James Heappey
Conservative

Answered on
8 September 2022

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) routinely investigates ways to improve security cooperation and build capacity in CBRN resilience and response with partners across the region, however, in line with Government policy, the MOD has no official relationship with Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense and it would neither be appropriate nor practicable to undertake an assessment of their CBRN resilience.

 

Question for Treasury
UIN HL1663, tabled on 12 July 2022

Question
Lord Alton of Liverpool
Crossbench

To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in arrangements for the 11th UK–China Economic and Financial Dialogue, what consideration they have given to (1) reports that the Foreign Secretary described events in Xinjiang as a “genocide”, (2) threats to the territorial integrity of Taiwan, and (3) the statement by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the Six-monthly report on Hong Kong, published on 31 March, that “fundamental parts of the ‘One Country, Two Systems’ framework have been undermined”.

Answer
Baroness Penn
Conservative

Answered on
21 July 2022

Economic and Financial Dialogues (EFDs) provide an important mechanism for progressing our economic, financial and trade relationships. No date has been agreed for the next UK-China EFD.

We have been clear that we will not hesitate to stand up to China on our values where they are threatened.

The UK has led international efforts at the UN to hold China to account for its human rights violations in Xinjiang. We have imposed sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans, on senior Chinese officials and taken steps to help ensure that no UK organisations are complicit in these violations through their supply chains. As a co-signatory to the Joint Declaration, we will continue to stand up for the people of Hong Kong, to call out the violation of their freedoms, and to hold China to their international obligations.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 24569, tabled on 24 June 2022

Question
Mr Virendra Sharma
Labour

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she is taking to improve UK diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Answer
Amanda Milling
Conservative

Answered on
30 June 2022

The UK has a clear interest in enduring peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and the G7 Leaders’ Communiqué this month underscored this with our international partners. As the Foreign Secretary said in her Mansion House speech, we must ensure that democracies like Taiwan are able to defend themselves. Though the United Kingdom does not have diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a vibrant unofficial relationship, based on dynamic commercial, educational and cultural ties. This relationship delivers significant benefits to both the UK and Taiwan.