To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to discuss the continuing threats to the freedom of the people of Taiwan and, in particular, their right to democracy and self-determination, with the Vice-President of China, Han Zheng, during his visit to London for the Coronation.
Answered on
15 May 2023
The Foreign Secretary met Chinese Vice President Han Zheng on 5 May and set out the UK's views on Xinjiang, Hong Kong and Taiwan. The Government's approach is to engage constructively with China while steadfastly defending our national security and our values. We will continue to raise human rights issues directly with China. Similarly, we will continue to use our channels with the Chinese and Hong Kong authorities to make clear our strong opposition to the erosion of rights and freedoms in Hong Kong, the deliberate targeting of opposition voices and China's ongoing non-compliance with the Sino-British Joint Declaration. The UK's longstanding position on Taiwan has not changed. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion.