British MPs are set to meet with Taiwanese officials just one day after Rishi Sunak said the “so called golden era is over” for UK-Beijing relations.
Members of the prominent foreign affairs select committee are visiting the disputed territory from Tuesday to Saturday.
The island of Taiwan is self-governed but claimed by mainland China. The visit of British MPs is likely to further irk Beijing’s ruling Communist Party following US House of Representatives speaker Nancy Pelosi‘s visit in August.
The UK committee will meet Taiwan’s president Tsai Ing-Wen, the secretary-general of the national security council, Wellington Koo, and premier and president of the executive Yuan, Su Tseng-chang during the trip.
Alicia Kearns, Conservative Party MP and chairwoman of committee, arrived in Taiwan on Tuesday morning.
She said: "This visit to Taiwan has long been a priority for the foreign affairs committee.
"The UK is fortunate to enjoy strong cultural and trading ties with Taiwan, fostering shared ambitions on clean energy, education, advanced new technologies and more.
"The multiple challenges to security and prosperity across the globe make constructive ties between democracies, such as those enjoyed by the UK and Taiwan, all the more important.
"The Indo-Pacific, and the strength of our relationships in the region, is of huge importance to the UK. Within the Indo-Pacific region, Taiwan's voice is unique and invaluable.
"Over the course of our visit, the committee looks forward to hearing from a range of individuals, from politicians to businesses and civil society groups."
The talks follow protests across Chinese cities against long-standing tough ‘zero-Covid’ measures being imposed upon the population.
Mr Sunak told the Lord Mayor’s Banquet on Monday night Britain should be looking to take a “longer term view of China”.
The British prime minister said: “The so-called golden era is over, along with the naive idea that trade would lead to social and political reform.”
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He added: “We recognise China poses a systemic challenge to our values and interests, a challenge that grows more acute as it moves towards even greater authoritarianism.”
