China: The Chinese government has asked the United Kingdom to stop its efforts to “enhance” ties with Taiwan. The statement comes after a high-level meeting and the signing of a new trade agreement between Taiwan and Britain in London. Beijing accused the UK of using trade cooperation “as an excuse” to enhance its ties with Taiwan.
Recently, Taiwan’s representative to the UK, Mr. Kelly Hsieh, and his British counterpart based in Taipei, Mr. John Dennis, signed an enhanced trade partnership (ETP).
The agreement paves the way for future collaborations on green energy, digital trade, and investment, among other trade-based issues. The UK is Taiwan’s third-biggest trading partner in Europe and the 21st largest overall.
“The arrangement will take our trade relations to new heights and represents the culmination of our longstanding work to develop new forms of engagement,” Mr. Dennis, the UK’s de facto ambassador, commented.
The two countries noted that the agreement was established to enhance bilateral trade between Taiwan and Europe, and they hoped it would serve as a model for other countries.
Only 13 countries have official diplomatic relations with Taiwan’s government, but many others maintain informal relations with mutually established trade offices and economic ties.
China’s embassy in London said in a statement that Beijing has always firmly opposed any form of official contact between countries that have diplomatic relations with China and “China’s Taiwan region”.
“We urge the UK to abide by the one-China principle and stop using trade cooperation as an excuse to engage in official exchanges or enhance substantive relations with Taiwan,” the embassy said in a statement.
According to reports, Taiwan is seeking to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which the UK is the newest member. The Taiwanese minister and its chief trade negotiator, Mr. John Deng, remarked that improving economic relations with the UK was “crucial” for Taiwan’s bid.
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