For the first time, the U.K. Parliament has referred to Taiwan as an “independent country” in an official document, Politico reported. The statement has been made during Foreign Secretary James Cleverly’s visit to China.
The language was adopted in a report by the foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons. The move risks a backlash from Beijing, especially given Cleverly’s visit, marking the first time a top British envoy has visited Beijing in the last five years.
China has consistently denied Taiwan’s statehood, claiming the self-governing island as its territory. Only 13 countries globally recognize Taipei instead of Beijing diplomatically.
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Committee Chairperson Alicia Kearns of the ruling Conservative Party confirmed this is the first such declaration by a U.K. Parliament report. Kearns emphasized the necessity of the ...