Taiwan–United Kingdom relations

Taiwan–United Kingdom relations describe the relations between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. Due to the One China policy the United Kingdom does not recognize the Government of the Republic of China and all diplomatic relations between the two countries take place on an unofficial basis. Taiwan maintains the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. in London with a branch office in Edinburgh while the United Kingdom maintains the British Office Taipei in Taipei.

This article is about relations with the Republic of China. For relations between the People's Republic of China and the United Kingdom, see China–United Kingdom relations.
Taiwan–United Kingdom relations

Taiwan
United Kingdom
Diplomatic mission
Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.British Office Taipei
Envoy
Kelly Wu-Chiao HsiehJohn_Dennis
Taipei Representative Office in the U.K.

History

Kingdom of Tungning (1661–1683)

In Kingdom of Tungning, East India Company and Zheng Jing have agreement on trade until the end of the Kingdom of Tungning.[1]

Since 1949
For further details of the United Kingdom's diplomatic relations with the ROC/Taiwan, see China–United Kingdom relations.

After the defeat of the nationalist forces in Mainland China the Chinese Civil War and the retreat of the KMT government to Taiwan the United Kingdom broke off diplomatic relations with the Republic of China and recognised the People's Republic of China from 6 January 1950. The United Kingdom however maintained a Consulate in Tamsui until 13 March 1972.

Both the Republic of China and the United Kingdom were Permanent members of the UN Security Council until 1971 when the UN switched recognition to the People's Republic of China in 1971.

In September 1962 Taiwan opened its representative office in London under the name of the Free Chinese Centre which was later renamed the Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. The United Kingdom opened its representative office in 1993 under the name of the British Trade and Cultural Office which was later renamed the British Office Taipei in 2015.[2]

The United Kingdom supports Taiwan's participation in international organisations where statehood is not a prerequisite, including lobbying for Taiwan's participation in the World Health Organization.[3] Taiwan has been referred to as a country by several UK Members of Parliament.[4][5]

In 2020 Taiwan donated medical masks to the United Kingdom to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic. Donated masks are to be transferred to the NHS for distribution. The masks are among 7 million donated to European countries.[6]

In October 22, 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Taiwan (MOFA) brokered a deal with the UK to get 100 UK students to study at local Taiwanese universities. The students will be on scholarships and they will be learning Mandarin. The deal is part of President Tsai Ing-wen's vision to turn Taiwan into a bilingual country by 2030.[7]

References
  1. 賴永祥 (1965). 臺灣鄭氏與英國的通商關係史 (PDF). 《臺灣文獻》.
  2. "U.K. renames representative office in Taiwan, retains functions". focustaiwan.tw.
  3. "Taiwan - Monday 10 February 2020 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk.
  4. "Coronavirus Bill - Monday 23 March 2020 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk.
  5. "UK Relations with Taiwan - Tuesday 24 October 2017 - Hansard - UK Parliament". hansard.parliament.uk.
  6. Ya-chen, Tai. "Mask donation from Taiwan reaches United Kingdom". focustaiwan.tw. Focus Taiwan. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  7. "Taiwan to offer Mandarin scholarships to 100 UK students". Taiwan Today.
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