In the News

Taiwan-UK relations warm up

(CNA)

• Publication Date：11/12/2011
• Source： Taiwan Today

Rudyard Kipling’s famous dictum “East is East, West is West; and never the twain shall meet” now appears increasingly irrelevant when applied to the steady but burgeoning relations between the ROC and U.K.

The cordial and warming ties between the two countries lend credence to the reality that distance and cultural diversities are not a major barrier for nations with common ideals, values and interests. This fact was highlighted last week by the U.K. Minister of State for Trade and Investment Stephen Green who attended the 16th Taiwan-U.K. consultation and trade cooperation conference held in Taipei.

Taiwan’s participation in the World Trade Organization, its close links to rising economies, its growing profile as a regional economic, trade and investment hub, as well as its conclusion of the landmark Cross-Straits Economic Cooperation Agreement Framework (ECFA) in June last year now sees the island considered by the business-minded British as a gate for them to expand their economic, trade, investment and other interests in this region.

Conversely, Taiwan also seeks to promote and expand its market, trade and investment opportunities in the U.K. Taiwan has enjoyed strong trade ties with the U.K. since 1988 when the island was ranked among Britain’s top 14 best prospect export markets. Last year, bilateral trade was US$5.29 billion with the U.K. ranked as Taiwan’s 18th largest trading partner globally and third largest in Europe.

Cultural and academic exchanges between Taiwan and the U.K. have also grown by leaps and bounds. More than 9,000 Taiwan students are currently enrolled in top British universities. And increasing numbers of Taiwanese tourists are visiting the U.K. since Taiwan’s 2009 inclusion in Britain’s visa waiver program.

The good news is that a growing band of British officials and lawmakers have voiced support for Taiwan’s bid to conclude an economic cooperation agreement with the EU. In this respect, the ECFA should provide an impetus for the fast-tracking of this goal.

When Queen Elizabeth II visited the Taiwan Pavilion at the Chelsea Flower Show last May, it was seen by many in Taiwan and the U.K. as recognition of Taiwan’s gardening industry and clear indication of the healthy state of bilateral relations.

It is thus apparent that aside from economic and trade considerations, there is another critical factor as to why Taiwan and the U.K. should forge a stronger partnership. Whereas the U.K. has been the pivot of democracy, freedom, human rights and modernization in Europe and beyond, Taiwan has served as a similar model in Asia. It is in this sense that Taiwan and the U.K. have indeed converged based on common ideological values and lofty aspirations.

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