Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen welcomed members of a UK delegation to Taiwan – Photo: President’s Office of Taiwan

Six lawmakers from the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group conclude their trip to Taiwan today.

Over six days, the delegation held key meetings with Taiwanese officials, including President Tsai Ing-wen. During meetings, the parties exchanged views on cyber and economic cooperation, including regional and international security issues.

British MPs are intensifying bilateral engagement with Taipei as part of a post-Brexit economic strategy. Taipei’s role as a key trade partner means that the security and stability of the Taiwan Strait is critical to Britain’s future. Furthering the UK-Taiwan relationship, in October 2021, British trade policy minister Penny Mordent co-hosted the 24th UK-Taiwan trade talks with Taiwan’s vice minister of economic affairs Chen Chern-Chyi. Last November, a Foreign Affairs Committee delegation visited the self-governing island. However, these engagements are straining relations between London and Beijing, with Chinese officials regularly citing London’s violation of its “one China policy”.

With China continuing to threaten the use of force in “reuniting” Taiwan, British MPs are likely to advocate in parliament for continued Taiwan support. Although the UK has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, MPs calling for stronger relations could see Whitehall forge security ties with Taipei, specifically in cybersecurity. Beijing has continued to escalate cyberwarfare and disinformation against Taiwan’s political institutions, and the UK may help alleviate this pressure.