The UK House of Commons unanimously voted to reject China’s “distortion of the international law around Taiwan” to undermine its participation in international organizations, including the UN.
It is the fifth legislative body to condemn Beijing’s interpretation of UN Resolution 2758, following Australia, Canada, The Netherlands and the EU.
The House said that UN Resolution 2758 passed on Oct. 25, 1971 — which states that the People’s Republic of China (PRC) is the only legitimate government of China — does not mention Taiwan and therefore does not establish PRC sovereignty over Taiwan or define its political status.
The chamber urged the UK government to clarify its position that nothing in international law forbids Taiwan’s participation in international organizations such as the UN.
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The UK continues to be a “staunch advocate for Taiwan’s meaningful international participation” in bodies including the UN and the World Health Assembly, UK Foreign Office Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West said yesterday.
The UK government should condemn any attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to “rewrite history,” as this behavior does not benefit Taiwanese, the interests of the UK or the wider international community, West added.
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[Labour Party lawmaker Blair] McDougall said that “diplomatic technicalities on an issue as fraught as the status of Taiwan could have far-reaching consequences for the entire world,” citing the importance of Taiwan’s semiconductor industry, shipping routes and geopolitical position.
The economic toll of a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would be felt in every household in the UK, he added.
McDougall also stressed that the Russian invasion of Ukraine serves as a stark reminder to “form policy on a crisis before the crisis emerges,” he said.
When it comes to this stuff, not really rare at all. Was one of the most ardent supporters of Ukraine not only since the recent invasion, but the 2014 one.
Repeatedly warned for decades that over-reliance on Russian gas was a major mistake.
Was seemingly the only country who gave a toss about the violence by China during the Hong Kong riots (although there is of course history between HK and UK).
Has consistently been on the side of Taiwan.
Has been extremely ready to give up territories when their population calls for it… which few other former colonial powers did.
They’re usually on the right side when it comes to this stuff. Obviously not always, nobody is. But I don’t know why you’d look at the UK continuing to support Taiwan and be shocked.
Na, I was talking more generally, at least about what I caught about UK politics in communities like this. Not about UK’s stance towards Taiwan specifically.