Question / Coronavirus: Taiwan

Q Asked by Lord Blencathra
Asked on: 13 February 2020

Department of Health and Social Care
Coronavirus: Taiwan / HL1634

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have to ensure that their announcements on the number of cases of coronavirus will disaggregate the figures for Taiwan from those of China.

A Answered by: Lord Bethell
Answered on: 26 February 2020

Public Health England reports separately on cases in mainland China and Taiwan and other places. This data can be found online on the COVID-19: epidemiology, virology and clinical features page on the Government website. As of 25 February 2020, there are 77,658 confirmed cases in mainland China and 31 confirmed cases in Taiwan.

 

Question / Taiwan: Elections

Q Asked by Lord Steel of Aikwood
Asked on: 15 January 2020

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: Elections / HL476

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the outcome of the election in Taiwan; and in particular, of its impact on Hong Kong.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 24 January 2020

The Foreign Secretary’s statement on 11 January noted that the presidential and legislative elections in Taiwan were testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. He congratulated the people of Taiwan on the smooth conduct of those elections and to Dr Tsai Ing-wen and her party on her re-election. The Foreign Secretary expressed his hope that the two sides of the Taiwan Strait would renew dialogue to resolve differences and build constructive relations across the Strait.

We have not yet made an assessment of the impact of the elections in Taiwan on Hong Kong.  It is clear, however, that many people in Hong Kong followed the elections with interest.

 

Question / Spain: Taiwan

Q Asked by Scott Mann (North Cornwall)
Asked on: 19 June 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Spain: Taiwan / 266709

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Spanish counterpart on the extradition of 94 Taiwanese citizens to China.

A Answered by: Sir Alan Duncan
Answered on: 26 June 2019

Her Majesty’s Government has not raised this issue with Spain. Spain is party to the European Convention on Human Rights and this is a matter for the Spanish courts. It would not be appropriate for us to comment.

 

Question / Overseas Trade: Taiwan

Q Asked by Lord Rogan
Asked on: 11 June 2019

Department for International Trade
Overseas Trade: Taiwan / HL16280

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of Taiwan about future trade relations between the two nations when the UK leaves the EU.

A Answered by: Viscount Younger of Leckie
Answered on: 18 June 2019
Taiwan is an important trading partner for the UK. Our bilateral trade was £6.6bn in 2018, an increase of 16.4% from 2017. UK exports to Taiwan grew by 40% from £1.96bn to £2.76bn (latest [ONS] data). As we leave the EU, we are committed to strengthening our trade partnership with Taiwan, and across Asia Pacific, including through the annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks – due to take place in London in October. The Department of International Trade’s Ministers visited Taiwan twice last year, and events like the Taipei Smart Cities Summit and Expo held in March are a crucial way to strengthen relationships in key sectors.

 

Question / Taiwan: World Health Assembly

Q Asked by Lord Blencathra
Asked on: 14 May 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: World Health Assembly / HL15706

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the World Health Organisation about Taiwan being excluded from the World Health Assembly; and what plans they have to provide Taiwan, in its absence, with information from that Assembly.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 22 May 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Department of Health officials have made a number of senior-level representations with like-minded partners about Taiwan’s exclusion from the World Health Assembly and technical meetings of the World Health Organisation. The UK supports Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and where Taiwan can make a valuable contribution, such as global health. In line with our longstanding unofficial relationship, we have a wide range of exchanges with Taiwan, including on global health issues.

Question / China: Taiwan

Q Asked by Andrew Rosindell (Romford)
Asked on: 09 May 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
China: Taiwan / 252583

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking to improve relations between China and Taiwan.

A Answered by: Mark Field
Answered on: 16 May 2019

We have a constructive and positive dialogue with China on major global issues, which enables us to have an open and frank discussion on difficult issues. We are clear in our discussions with China that our longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed: we consider the Taiwan issue one that should be settled by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue. We have made clear our concern at any activity by China and Taiwan that risks destabilising the status quo.

Question / Taiwan: World Health Organisation

Q Asked by Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes)
Asked on: 02 April 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Taiwan: World Health Organisation / 239932

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations his Department has made to the World Health Organisation on (a) Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer this year and (b) Taiwan’s participation in technical meetings of the World Health Organisation.

A Answered by: Mark Field
Answered on: 10 April 2019

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office continues to support the Department for Health in lobbying for Taiwan’s participation in World Health Organisation (WHO) meetings. Her Majesty’s Government is working with likeminded countries to lobby the WHO at official level to issue an invitation to Taiwan to observe the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May. The UK continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and where Taiwan can make a valuable contribution. The UK believes the WHA and the related technical meetings of the WHO meet these criteria.

 

Question / World Health Assembly: Taiwan

Q Asked by Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes)
Asked on: 28 March 2019

Department of Health and Social Care
World Health Assembly: Taiwan / 238323

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to support Taiwan’s participation in the World Health Assembly as an observer; and whether his Department has encouraged Taiwan to participate in technical meetings of the World Health Organisation.

A Answered by: Jackie Doyle-Price
Answered on: 05 April 2019

The Department continues to support the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on this topic. The Government is working with likeminded countries to lobby the World Health Organization (WHO) at official level to issue an invitation to Taiwan to observe the World Health Assembly (WHA) in May.

The United Kingdom continues to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite and where Taiwan can make a valuable contribution. The UK believes the WHA and related technical meetings of the WHO meet these criteria.

Question / China: Taiwan

Q Asked by Lord Dholakia
Asked on: 14 January 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
China: Taiwan / HL12785

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of the People’s Republic of China about their “one country, two systems” policy towards Taiwan.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 23 January 2019

The British Government has routine discussions with the People’s Republic of China on the issue of Taiwan, such as during the Foreign Secretary’s UK-China Strategic Dialogue (July 2018). We maintain that the issue should be settled through constructive dialogue, in line with the views of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Question / China: Taiwan

Q Asked by Lord Dholakia
Asked on: 14 January 2019

Foreign and Commonwealth Office
China: Taiwan / HL12786

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of any risks to regional peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

A Answered by: Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Answered on: 23 January 2019

In his 2 January speech, Chinese leader Xi Jinping urged Taiwan to accept reunification with China, restating China’s long-held position that it can use all necessary measures, including force, to secure this aim. We oppose any action which raises tensions in the region and hinders the chances of peaceful settlement of any issues. In line with our longstanding position on Taiwan we encourage Taiwan and China to engage in constructive dialogue to resolve this issue, taking into account the views of the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.