On Monday March 25th the House of Commons held a debate on the Taiwan Strait led by Stewart Malcolm McDonald (Glasgow South) (SNP).
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs what progress His Majesty’s Government has made in implementing the AUKUS security partnership between the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States of America.
To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the implications of the outcome of both the presidential and legislative elections recently held in Taiwan.
That this House takes note of His Majesty’s Government’s position on the long-term strategic challenges posed by China.
To ask His Majesty’s Government, following the high-level talks between the Governments of China and the United States on 18 and 19 June at which both sides agreed to “effectively manage differences and advance dialogue, exchanges and co-operation”, whether they propose to undertake a similar process.
With your permission, Madam Deputy Speaker, I will make a Statement on the progress of negotiations for us to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
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.’
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?
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.