A delegation of young leaders from the U.K. Conservative Party wrapped up its weeklong fact-finding visit to Taiwan Dec. 22, sowing the seeds for improved trade and cultural ties between the two countries.
Led by Tory member of parliament Andrew Rosindell, the nine-member group visited the Council of Agriculture, Mainland Affairs Council, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Chengchi University’s College of International Affairs and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy.
The delegation also toured numerous sites of cultural and economic interest, including AsusTek Computer Inc., Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall, Formosan Aboriginal Culture Village, National Palace Museum and Sun Moon Lake.
Visiting at the invitation of then ROC Representative to the U.K. Chang Siao-yue, the group is seen as playing an important role in educating future British decision-makers on cross-strait relations and helping them become familiar with the economic, political and social lay of the land in Taiwan.
Rosindell, on his third trip to Taiwan, said the group’s stay has been tremendously productive, with members learning about political developments between Taipei and Beijing under the administration of ROC President Ma Ying-jeou, the importance of Taiwan-U.K. trade and the continued rise of the country as a shining light for democracy in Asia.
“This is a really good delegation of young political activists, leaders and staffers,” he said. “The trip is their first to Taiwan and has been educational, informative and enjoyable.”
As a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, Rosindell makes it his business to ensure the British government’s policies on Taiwan are heading in the right direction.
“Taiwan is a beacon of freedom, a beacon of free enterprise and liberty in Southeast Asia. Compared to most other countries in the region, it is a true democracy and a liberal society with all the values we have come to expect in our own country.”
For these reasons, the MP believes it is important for the U.K. to stand with Taiwan and let the people know they have friends in other parts of the world.
“It is important that Taiwan is allowed to develop international relations, develop its trade and that the People’s Republic of China does not do anything to harm the right of the Taiwanese people to carry on as they are and to ensure their lifestyle and economic prosperity continues.”
Rosindell said the British government is a friend of Taiwan and that visits like these can help galvanize further political support for the ROC government in its efforts to expand the country’s international space.
“We should do more to help Taiwan achieve its goal of joining more international organizations. I certainly think they should be given status in more organizations, even if it is just observer, because they are such a significant player in this part of the world.”
The MP cautions, however, that this progress must not come at the cost of jeopardizing improved relations with mainland China stemming from Ma’s flexible diplomacy policies.
“A few years ago there was a lot of instability and President Ma has achieved a lot in the sense that there are much better relations between Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China. But equally so, we want common sense to prevail … Taiwan is a significant country and should be given the acknowledgement.”
Upon his return to the U.K., Rosindell plans to organize more activities held under the auspices of the new Conservative Friends of Taiwan group and work harder to increase membership.
The new organization, Rosindell said, is not a rival for the All-Party Parliamentary British-Taiwanese Group of which he is a member. Rather, it is a platform for building Conservative parliamentary support and another arrow in the island’s U.K. representation quiver.
“Taiwan needs to know that it has supporters in other countries that understand the issues,” Rosindell said. “The group that visited this week has planted the seeds for the future and is a great initiative of the [ROC] government. This is an investment for the future.”
Write to John Scott Marchant at js_marchant@mail.gio.gov.tw