A British minister is to visit Taiwan this week for trade talks and to meet with President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), his office said yesterday, drawing an angry reaction from Beijing to the latest high-level engagement between a Western government and Taipei.
British Minister of State for Trade Policy Greg Hands is to meet Tsai and cohost the 25th annual UK-Taiwan Trade Talks during his two-day visit.
“Visiting Taiwan in person is a clear signal of the UK’s commitment to boosting UK-Taiwan trade ties. Like the UK, Taiwan is a champion of free and fair trade underpinned by a rules-based global trading system,” Hands’ office said in a statement.
Photo: AP
The annual government-level trade talks, first held in 1991, took place online in 2020 and last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
This year’s talks are to focus on industries such as financial technology, renewable energy and pharmaceuticals, the statement said.
During the trade talks, the UK’s national innovation agency, Innovate UK, is to sign a memorandum of understanding with the Ministry of Economic Affairs on increasing collaboration on technology and innovation, it said.
The agreement would include a ￡5 million (US$5.6 million) funding commitment through to 2025 and support for British businesses via a bespoke Innovation Program in Taiwan, it added.
In Beijing, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman Zhao Lijian (趙立堅) said that China resolutely opposed any form of official exchanges between a state with whom it has diplomatic ties and Taiwan.
“We urge the British side to stop any form of official exchanges with Taiwan and stop sending wrong signals to separatist forces for Taiwan independence,” Zhao said.
Hands is also to hold meetings with Vice Premier Shen Jong-chin (沈榮津), Minister of Economic Affairs Wang Mei-hua (王美花), Minister of Digital Development Audrey Tang (唐鳳), National Development Council Minister Kung Ming-hsin (龔明鑫) and Minister Without Portfolio John Deng (鄧振中), the leader of the Taiwan side in the trade talks.
Taiwan views the UK as a like-minded democratic partner and has been heartened by London’s concerns over Chinese war games near the nation and support for its participation in international organizations, most of which Taiwan is locked out of due to China’s objections.
The UK, like Taiwan, is bidding to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. Members agreed in February that the UK could proceed with its application as it looks for new trading relationships after leaving the EU.
China has also applied to join.
Western lawmakers and other officials have been stepping up their visits to Taiwan, despite Beijing’s strong objections.
China staged war games near Taiwan in August following a visit to Taipei by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
China on Sunday sent 46 warplanes and four navy vessels toward Taiwan, the Ministry of National Defense said on Twitter.
The number of aircraft was the biggest since Sept. 1, according to Bloomberg-compiled data.
Additional reporting by CNA and Bloomberg
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