[EXCERPT] The UK’s approach to export licensing for Taiwan has not changed. The UK operates one of the most transparent export licensing systems in the world, publishing quarterly and
annual statistics on all our export licensing decisions, including details of export licences
granted, refused and revoked, including those to Taiwan. Quarterly statistics published by
the Export Control Joint Unit earlier in the year show that the UK has not ceased issuing
arms export licences to Taiwan. All applications are considered on a case by case basis
against the Strategic Export Licensing Criteria. Licences for exports of controlled goods
will only be granted where consistent with the Criteria.
The UK’s longstanding policy on Taiwan has not changed: we have no diplomatic relations with Taiwan but a strong, unofficial relationship, based on dynamic commercial, educational and cultural ties.
Bob Stewart: From the point of view of the security of Taiwan and of the South China sea, the Government are obviously worried about that, as they sent a fleet there and an aircraft carrier through, but we still haven’t got the—am I allowed to use the word?—balls to actually put our aircraft carrier west-about Taiwan rather than east-about. The aircraft carrier went east-about to avoid offending the Chinese, because east-about is in the Taiwan straits. We as a Parliament should demonstrate solidarity with Taiwan.
Bob Stewart: From the point of view of the security of Taiwan and of the South China sea, the Government are obviously worried about that, as they sent a fleet there and an aircraft carrier through, but we still haven’t got the—am I allowed to use the word?—balls to actually put our aircraft carrier west-about Taiwan rather than east-about. The aircraft carrier went east-about to avoid offending the Chinese, because east-about is in the Taiwan straits. We as a Parliament should demonstrate solidarity with Taiwan.
The Financial Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Frazer: “I beg to move, that the Committee has considered the draft Double Taxation Relief and International Tax Enforcement (Taiwan) Order 2021. The draft order will give effect to a protocol that was agreed in August to amend the existing double taxation agreement, or DTA, in relation to Taiwan.
Michael Reilly said there was an “institutional state of mind” in the FCDO but there is nothing to stop the UK doing more with Taiwan. It was noted that Taiwan and the TRO in the UK could push a lot harder for deeper ties than they currently do.