Britain must support China’s ownership of Taiwan or risk a breach in diplomatic relations, China’s ambassador to the UK has suggested.
Writing in The Telegraph, Zheng Zeguang said that the “key to ensuring the sound and steady development of UK-China relations” lay in the British government accepting “Taiwan has never been a country” and that “both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to… China”.
The intervention comes at a time of heightened tension with Beijing over the Chinese spy case and calls to cancel the construction of a super embassy in London amid fears it could be used to tap into sensitive data cables.
In the article, Mr Zheng writes that Britain made an “unequivocal commitment” to defend China’s ownership of Taiwan when diplomatic relations were established with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) in 1972.
“This history must not be forgotten,” he said.
The UK government’s position has long been to acknowledge China’s claim on Taiwan without endorsing it – a policy known as “strategic ambiguity”.
The Chinese ambassador quoted from the 1972 joint communique citing that deliberately vague position, but interprets Britain’s “acknowledgement” as an acceptance of China’s claims on Taiwan, a common elision from Beijing’s diplomats.
Mr Zheng referred to two sections from the communique in which Britain “acknowledges the position of the Chinese government that Taiwan is a province” of the PRC and “recognises” the Chinese Communist Party as the “sole legal government in China”.
He wrote: “It was only after the UK made this unequivocal commitment that formal diplomatic relations were established between China and the UK. This history must not be forgotten.”
While striving for a “peaceful reunification”, Mr Zheng warned that China was ready to do “whatever it takes” to regain control of the island, which has its own military and a democratic government that rejects Beijing’s claims of sovereignty.
“We hope that the UK government will honour the solemn commitments it made in 1972… and handle Taiwan-related issues prudently and properly in line with the One-China principle.”
Taiwanese soldiers deployed to live-ammunition artillery training in preparation for Chinese aggression – Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images
The ambassador’s comments will pile further pressure on Sir Keir Starmer at a time when the Prime Minister is already facing accusations of appeasing Beijing.
For weeks, the Government has been dogged by accusations that it deliberately collapsed the espionage trial of former parliamentary aide Christopher Cash and his friend Christopher Berry to avoid upsetting the Chinese.
National security concerns
Labour has been pursuing Chinese investment as part of its election manifesto pledge to “kickstart economic growth” and bring about a “decade of national renewal”.
But critics say it has repeatedly prioritised foreign investment and trade relations over national security concerns.
China has also made a formal application to build a huge diplomatic compound in East London, next to Tower Bridge and St Katharine Docks, on the former site of the Royal Mint.
Security experts and intelligence officials are concerned about the building’s potential for espionage, because it could contain a “spy dungeon” that would give Chinese agents access to sensitive communication cables that serve the City of London.
Victor Gao, a former advisor to the Chinese government, recently warned that refusing Beijing permission to build the embassy would be “stupid” and the UK should be “fully aware of all the consequences if that does happen”.
Taiwan Coast Guard vessels and speedboats undertake a joint-forces exercise in Kaohsiung – Daniel Ceng/Anadolu via Getty Images
In response to the ambassador’s remarks, Tom Tugendhat, the former security minister, told The Telegraph: “Since 1972, the UK has acknowledged the PRC’s strong views on Taiwan. It is a historical fact that we have never recognised or supported these claims, including absolute sovereignty to the island.
“Beijing’s attempts to distort international law, including claims that UNGA Resolution 2758 confers dominion over Taiwan, should be resisted. These are rightly matters for the Taiwanese people to determine. Using economic coercion to force others to submit does not make it legal.
“More broadly, the strategic importance of Taiwan is tragically underappreciated. They’re a democracy, and an important partner in many fields – not least the production of one of the most valuable commodities on earth.”
A spokesman for the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said: “The UK’s long-standing position on Taiwan has not changed.
“We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through dialogue, and not through any unilateral attempts to change the status quo.”
In the article, Mr Zheng also denounced the Taiwanese government, led by the nationalist, centre-Left Democratic Progressive Party. “The greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait comes from separatist activities for ‘Taiwan Independence’ and the connivance and support by external forces,” he said.
Taiwan is not a charter member of the United Nations. But Mr Zheng claimed that the United Nations Resolution 2578, which established the PRC as the only legitimate representative of China to the UN, also prohibits Taiwan from any interaction with the UN and other international bodies.
The British government rejects this position, arguing that Taiwan should be allowed to participate in international forums, either as an observer or guest or full member.
Emily Thornberry, a Labour MP and chair of the foreign affairs select committee, told The Telegraph that British policy on Taiwan had “not changed” and the UK would maintain links with the government there.
“Our relationship with China remains robust, based on strong trade and people-to-people links. While the UK has no official diplomatic relations with Taiwan, we have a strong, unofficial relationship,” she added.
Alicia Kearns, the Conservative MP who previously employed Mr Cash as a parliamentary researcher, said: “The Chinese ambassador shows a wilful contempt towards the UK’s long-standing position on Taiwan, and his brazen threats demonstrate just how much Labour’s obsequious posture has emboldened Beijing.”
“Unfortunately, the Labour government has demonstrated an abject and spineless failure to take the ambassador to task over bounties and kidnap threats against Hong Kongers, let alone their assault on Parliament,” she added, referring to the efforts of the two accused spies.
