Tom Tugendhat, Chairman of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee Photo by Reuters Yonhap News
[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] As tensions rise between the United States and China ahead of the visit to Taiwan by Nancy Pelosi, the third-ranking figure in U.S. power and Speaker of the House, members of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee are also reportedly planning to visit Taiwan later this year.
The UK daily The Guardian reported on the 1st (local time) that members of the UK House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee plan to visit Taiwan in November or early December this year.
A source explained that the Foreign Affairs Committee members’ visit to Taiwan is intended to demonstrate the UK’s support for Taiwan. The source also added that the visit was originally planned for earlier this year but was canceled after one of the members tested positive for COVID-19. The Foreign Affairs Committee is currently coordinating the visit dates, and it has not yet been decided whether the committee members will meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.
The Guardian reported that the committee members’ visit is an attempt by the UK to strengthen relations with Taiwan, and that the UK views China as a long-term risk factor. The Guardian also noted that while the UK officially recognizes China’s “One China” policy, it unofficially maintains ties with Taiwan. Last September, the UK launched a new trilateral security alliance called AUKUS with the United States and Australia to counter China.
If the plan proceeds as scheduled, the Foreign Affairs Committee members’ visit will take place early in the administration of the next prime minister, who will be elected in early September. The leading candidates for prime minister, former Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, have both signaled a tough stance on China.
Former Chancellor Sunak stated, “China is the greatest threat to the UK and global security and prosperity this century,” and pledged to reduce China’s influence, including closing the UK branches of Confucius Institutes. Foreign Secretary Truss also claimed she would take a tougher approach to China than current Prime Minister Boris Johnson. In a recent interview, Truss argued that Western countries must continue to guarantee Taiwan’s ability to defend itself against China’s threats. In a June interview, she also advocated for the UK to provide weapons to Taiwan.
The Taiwanese Embassy in London expressed a welcoming stance regarding the UK House of Commons members’ visit to Taiwan, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen UK-Taiwan relations.
Tom Tugendhat, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, is expected to lead the visit to Taiwan. Tugendhat supports Foreign Secretary Truss, who currently leads in public opinion polls, and there is speculation about his possible appointment to the next cabinet. A source stated that Tugendhat intends to proceed with the Taiwan visit as planned, regardless of who becomes the next prime minister.
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