British minister to meet Taiwan president, drawing China's anger

[Hamartia Antidote]

British minister to meet Taiwan president, drawing China's anger

A British minister will visit Taiwan this week for trade talks and meet President Tsai Ing-wen, his office said on Monday, drawing an angry reaction from Beijing to the latest high-level engagement between a Western government and the island.

www.reuters.com

Minister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growth Greg Hands leaves after a radio interview in Westminster, London, Britain, April 8, 2022. REUTERS/Tom Nicholson

A British minister will visit Taiwan this week for trade talks and meet President Tsai Ing-wen, his office said on Monday, drawing an angry reaction from Beijing to the latest high-level engagement between a Western government and the island.

China views democratically-governed Taiwan as its own territory and strongly objects to any official interactions between Taipei and foreign governments, believing it is a show of support for Taiwan's separateness from China.

Britain's Department for International Trade said Greg Hands, minister of state for trade and also a member of parliament, would meet Tsai and co-host 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," his office said in a statement.

Speaking in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said China resolutely opposed any form of official exchanges between a country 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," he said.

Hands will also meet Taiwan's top trade negotiator John Deng and Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua, his office added.

Taiwan's Economy Ministry declined to comment, saying that the meetings it was arranging were closed to the media.

Taiwan views Britain as a like-minded democratic partner and has been heartened by London's concerns over recent Chinese war games near the island and support for its participation in international organisations, most of which Taiwan are locked out of due to China's objections.

Britain, like Taiwan, is also bidding to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP. Members agreed in February that Britain can proceed with its application, as it looks for new trading relationships after leaving the European Union.

China has applied to join as well.

Britain has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan but the two have close economic and informal relations and Britain maintains a de facto embassy in Taipei.

Western lawmakers and other officials have been stepping up their visits to Taiwan, despite Beijing's strong objections, which views the island as its own territory and bristles at anything which implies it is a separate country.

China staged war games near Taiwan in August following a visit to Taipei by U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

 

[S10]

I would prefer China just start supporting Scottish independence movement. Don't get mad. Get even.

 

[TruthSeeker]

Here's where China's vaunted "long view" of international politics breaks down into high school emotionalism. Strategic thinking Chinese should welcome more and more economic co-dependency and technical industry investment by the "West" in Taiwan. Then, when the PRC does take over, the blow to the "West" will be ever so more devastating and the revenge so much more delicious.

 

[S10]

Here's where China's vaunted "long view" of international politics breaks down into high school emotionalism. Strategic thinking Chinese should welcome more and more economic co-dependency and technical industry investment by the "West" in Taiwan. Then, when the PRC does take over, the blow to the "West" will be ever so more devastating and the revenge so much more delicious.

You completely miss the mark. Imagine a Chinese government minister opening flying to Scotland to voice their support for its independence. UK would be screaming and ranting for years about Chinese threat. No amount of economic dependency is worth sovereignty. Taiwan is an unresolved issue from the Chinese civil war, not British business.

 

[epebble]

Imagine a Chinese government minister opening flying to Scotland to voice their support for its independence. UK would be screaming and ranting for years about Chinese threat

Totally wrong. They held a referendum and created a Scottish parliament. if a Chinese minister makes such statement, there will be a polite diplomatic statement. No Royal Navy blockading Scotland or threatening to fire missiles over it.

Canadians held their Quebec referendum when Quebec wanted it. No blockade, threats of missiles etc.,

Also, no U.K. minister is saying anything about Taiwan sovereignty. They just want to visit to increase business. Why should U.K. be interested in Taiwan sovereignty? Is China interested in Scotland's sovereignty?

 

[beijingwalker]

UK is being UK showing submission and loyalty to US master, nothing surprising.

 

[Beast]

Totally wrong. They held a referendum and created a Scottish parliament. if a Chinese minister makes such statement, there will be a polite diplomatic statement. No Royal Navy blockading Scotland or threatening to fire missiles over it.

Canadians held their Quebec referendum when Quebec wanted it. No blockade, threats of missiles etc.,

Also, no U.K. minister is saying anything about Taiwan sovereignty. They just want to visit to increase business. Why should U.K. be interested in Taiwan sovereignty? Is China interested in Scotland's sovereignty?

Are u sure? BOris Johnson shoot down the idea of scottish referendum. The english just put on a show to give u a false hope Scottish has chance to break away from UK. When the time come, tanks and bomber will roll into Scotland.

And remember the hypocrite EU who criticise China regards to Taiwan but they are firm against Catalonia when comes to Spain Catalonia referendum who vote to separate from Spain. Western are king when comes to double standard. We Chinese dont take your cheap lowhand method.

 

[epebble]

Are u sure? BOris Johnson shoot down the idea of scottish referendum.

A referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom was held in Scotland on 18 September 2014. The referendum question was, "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which voters answered with "Yes" or "No". The "No" side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the January 1910 general election, which was held before the introduction of universal suffrage.

2014 Scottish independence referendum - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Beast]

A referendum on Scottish independence from the United Kingdom was held in Scotland on 18 September 2014. The referendum question was, "Should Scotland be an independent country?", which voters answered with "Yes" or "No". The "No" side won with 2,001,926 (55.3%) voting against independence and 1,617,989 (44.7%) voting in favour. The turnout of 84.6% was the highest recorded for an election or referendum in the United Kingdom since the January 1910 general election, which was held before the introduction of universal suffrage.

2014 Scottish independence referendum - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

So smart of you to use 2014 news trying to prove relevant in 2022... The scottish wants to hold another referendum but UK refuse. Dont treat reader as stupid with your propaganda posting....

UK PM Johnson rejects Scotland's request for independence vote

Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said now was not the time to revisit the question of a vote on Scottish independence, in a letter to Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon on Wednesday.

www.reuters.com

Are you desperate to mask the double standard of UK? If China slap UK, dont blame China. UK asked for it!

 

[Song Hong]

Rumors on internet forum that Chinese planes already flew past Taiwan few days ago.

I guess if this trip materialized, Taiwanese controlled territory is going to be further encroached,

 

[Beast]

Rumors on internet forum that Chinese planes already flew past Taiwan few days ago.

I guess if this trip materialized, Taiwanese controlled territory is going to be further encroached,

Yes and as usual, the ball less Taiwan brag about they will shoot down PLAAF aircraft if they cross the line. End up, they take back those words. Soon it will reach the skies of Taipei and as usual, the ball less Taiwan will do nothing!

 

[Song Hong]

Yes and as usual, the ball less Taiwan brag about they will shoot down PLAAF aircraft if they cross the line. End up, they take back those words. Soon it will reach the skies of Taipei and as usual, the ball less Taiwan will do nothing!

I do not know what DPP is thinking. This visit will surely create a case for China to further annex Taiwan living space. It is not as if US is going to intervene and drive out PLA.

I guess US likes to put moron to head a territory -- always the case.

 

[S10]

Totally wrong. They held a referendum and created a Scottish parliament. if a Chinese minister makes such statement, there will be a polite diplomatic statement. No Royal Navy blockading Scotland or threatening to fire missiles over it.

Canadians held their Quebec referendum when Quebec wanted it. No blockade, threats of missiles etc.,

Also, no U.K. minister is saying anything about Taiwan sovereignty. They just want to visit to increase business. Why should U.K. be interested in Taiwan sovereignty? Is China interested in Scotland's sovereignty?

Except Taiwan is sovereign Chinese territory, be it Republic of China (ROC) or People's Republic of China (PRC). By having official visits, UK is attempting to legitimize a breakaway regime. Don't try to play innocent here. This is a pure geopolitical play.

I do agree there should be a referendum on status of Taiwan, which 1.4 billion Chinese voting on it.

 

[beijingwalker]

Except Taiwan is sovereign Chinese territory, be it Republic of China (ROC) or People's Republic of China (PRC). By having official visits, UK is attempting to legitimize a breakaway regime. Don't try to play innocent here. This is a pure geopolitical play.

I do agree there should be a referendum on status of Taiwan, which 1.4 billion Chinese voting on it.

If locals can vote for their independence in China,I m pretty sure most Shanghai people will vote for independence, they often complain they give so much to the country while receive not much.

 

[Beast]

If locals can vote for their independence in China,I m pretty sure most Shanghai people will vote for independence, they often complain they give so much to the country while receive not much.

That words shall be reserve for province of Guangdong. Look at their GDP , it insanely high compare to other province.