Category: Questions

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 10811, tabled on 22 January 2024

Question
Jim Shannon
Democratic Unionist Party

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he has had discussions with his international counterparts on tackling AI-generated misinformation reportedly targeted at disrupting the internal democratic processes of Taiwan.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
30 January 2024

It is for the Taiwanese people to decide their leader, free from interference. The elections that took place on 13 January are testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, which we have restated alongside our G7 partners.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN HL1583, tabled on 15 January 2024

Question
The Marquess of Lothian
Conservative

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the levels of tension between the governments of Taiwan and China following the presidential elections that took place in Taiwan on 13 January.

Answer
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Conservative

Answered on
29 January 2024

The elections that took place on 13 January are testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability across 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 have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 9589, tabled on 15 January 2024

Question
Catherine West
Labour

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he had made of the potential impact of the election of Lai Ching-te on regional stability.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
18 January 2024

The elections that took place on 13 January are testament to Taiwan’s vibrant democracy. 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 have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 9377, tabled on 15 January 2024

Question
Mr David Lammy
Labour

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what steps he has taken to help prevent risk of conflict in the Taiwan Strait.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
18 January 2024

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 have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 9378, tabled on 15 January 2024

Question
Mr David Lammy
Labour

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the increase in Chinese aerial incursions and military activity in the Taiwan Strait.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
18 January 2024

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. China’s continued military flights near Taiwan are part of an ongoing pattern of escalatory activity and are not conducive to peace and stability. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo, including increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners.

 

Question for Ministry of Defence
UIN HL138, tabled on 8 November 2023

Question
Lord Rogan
Ulster Unionist Party

To ask His Majesty’s Government what plans they have to deploy UK Armed Forces to the Indo-Pacific region to help counter the threat from China to Taiwan.

Answer
The Earl of Minto
Conservative

Answered on
22 November 2023

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. This includes increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 2221, tabled on 15 November 2023

Question
Navendu Mishra
Labour

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, how many British diplomatic staff are based in Taiwan as of 15 November 2023.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
21 November 2023

The UK has no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship based on dynamic commercial, educational and cultural ties. The UK has no diplomatic staff in Taiwan. Approximately 50 staff work at the British Office in Taipei. This is a combination of staff from the UK and staff employed locally.

 

Question for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
UIN 2220, tabled on 15 November 2023

Question
Navendu Mishra
Labour

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, whether he plans to take diplomatic steps to support Taiwan’s application to join World Health Assembly.

Answer
Anne-Marie Trevelyan
Conservative

Answered on
21 November 2023

The UK believes that the people of Taiwan have a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern. We therefore 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 201328, tabled on 13 October 2023

Question
James Sunderland
Conservative

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, for what reason his Department has not approved the draft Tax Information Exchange Agreement negotiated between the British Virgin Islands and Taiwan.

Answer
David Rutley
Conservative

Answered on
23 October 2023

The UK Government is discussing, with the Government of the British Virgin Islands, the development of a draft Tax Information Exchange Arrangement between the British Virgin Islands and Taiwan. It would not be appropriate to comment on this publicly before these discussions have concluded. The UK Government welcomes the ongoing cooperation of the British Virgins Islands in this matter.

 

Question for Department for Business and Trade
UIN HL10125, tabled on 13 September 2023

Question
Lord Alton of Liverpool
Crossbench

To ask His Majesty’s Government, with reference to the most recent visit by Lord Johnson of Lainston to the People’s Republic of China, who he met; what he discussed; what response he received to any representations he may have made on the government of China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority, threats to Taiwan, and imprisonment of pro-democracy advocates and lawmakers in Hong Kong, including the British citizen Jimmy Lai.

Answer
Lord Johnson of Lainston
Conservative

Answered on
27 September 2023

In China, I met businesses and investors. Whilst attending the China International Fair for Trade in Services, I was briefly introduced to the Minister of Commerce and the Party Secretary of Beijing. I expressed support for our trade and investment relationship, where it is consistent with our values and national security.

On 30 August, The Foreign Secretary visited China meeting senior government figures. He emphasised the UK’s position on the mass incarceration of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and raised rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, including the case of Jimmy Lai.