Leader of the UK-Taiwan parliamentary group Bob Stewart says the UK’s legislature will continue to support Taiwan. Stewart was speaking while meeting with Premier Chen Chien-jen (陳建仁) on Wednesday. Six members of the Taiwan friendship group are in the country on a six-day visit.
Chen thanks the group for its support for Taiwan’s participation in international organizations over the years and for strengthening relations between the two countries. He also says Taiwan and the UK have a long and close relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation. Chen says that includes in the areas of democracy, rule of law, and human rights as well as efforts to promote free trade. The premier says the relationship is very important to maintaining regional stability.
Stewart says all members of the delegation are staunch supporters of Taiwan. He also says it took Britain 800 years to develop its current democracy, but Taiwan only took 30 years. He says that experience makes Taiwan a model of democracy in the Asia-Pacific region.
Stewart adds that though the UK cannot officially recognize Taiwan due to political reasons, the UK Parliament recognizes Taiwan as a democratic and sovereign state. He says the UK believes that the people of Taiwan have the right to determine their own future.