MPS to visit Taiwan amid China tensions
MPS on a prominent Commons committee are visiting Taiwan and will meet dignitaries over the next few days amid strained UK relations with China.
The Foreign Affairs Committee said its members will be on the island, which China claims as its territory, until Saturday.
It follows heightened tensions between the West and Beijing over US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s trip to the self-ruling island in August.
The Committee will meet 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.
Tory MP Alicia Kearns, the Committee’s chairwoman, 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.
“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 move is unlikely to help Uk-china relations.