‘Taiwan possesses all the qualifications for statehood,’ a parliamentary committee report says.

The British parliament has for the first time referred to Taiwan as an “independent country” in an official document, breaking a political taboo as Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits China this week.

The new language, adopted in a report published Wednesday by the influential foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons, risks a stinging backlash from Beijing and comes as Cleverly becomes the first top British envoy to visit Beijing in five years amid a frosty relationship.

Beijing has long denied Taiwan’s statehood, insisting the self-governing democratic island is part of its territory. Only 13 countries around the world recognize Taipei instead of Beijing diplomatically.

  • awwwyissss@lemm.eeEnglish
    551·
    1 year ago

    Good. Taiwan is a country. They have a military, they make their own laws, they have their own passports, and (unlike China) they elect their government leaders.

    • redcalcium@lemmy.instituteEnglish
      40·
      1 year ago

      What?! China has election too. Not only that, the congress will elect the president on behalf of their citizen so their citizen don’t need to waste their time going to election booth. Very convenient! Even the ballot only contains one candidate so there is no confusion when casting vote.