On Thursday 14th July, Lord West of Spithead (Labour), the former First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, tabled a question for short debate in the House of Lords on topic of China.
The question tabled was ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they will take to respond to the long-term security challenges posed by China.’
So what might we do when institutions are subverted? By way of example, might the United Kingdom lead by suggesting to its partners that we join an informal and temporary coalition of countries to simultaneously recognise on the same day the sovereignty of Taiwan—a vibrant and brave democracy which has been referred to during this debate, where the rule of law is upheld and diversity and difference are respected?
So what might we do when institutions are subverted? By way of example, might the United Kingdom lead by suggesting to its partners that we join an informal and temporary coalition of countries to simultaneously recognise on the same day the sovereignty of Taiwan—a vibrant and brave democracy which has been referred to during this debate, where the rule of law is upheld and diversity and difference are respected?
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what plans they have, if any, to call for Taiwan to be given observer status at Interpol. Taiwan has a valuable contribution to make on issues of global concern, including efforts to combat international organised crime. We therefore support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organisations, where there is no pre-requisite of statehood for participation.
Does the patrolling of the Taiwan Strait by the US warship and of similar passages by the navies of the UK, Canada and France signal the intention to go beyond the optics? The mantra of “one country, two systems” has suffered a shocking demise in Hong Kong. There is still time to prevent a similar outcome for Taiwan, but this surely means that there must be contingency plans, which must take effect immediately.
Lord Dodds of Duncairn, Democratic Unionist Party, Life peer Lords, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what recent discussions they have had with NATO partners about China’s policy towards Taiwan.
Lord Dodds of Duncairn, Democratic Unionist Party, Life peer Lords, To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions they have had with the government of the United States of America about the defence of Taiwan following the statement on 21 October by President Biden that the United States has a “commitment” to defend Taiwan.