Premier Cho Jung-tai met with British Office Taipei Rep. John Dennis Sept. 2 in Taipei City and expressed hope that Taiwan could join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership to further contribute to cross-strait and Indo-Pacific security.
According to Cho, Taiwan is the U.K.’s fifth largest trading partner in Asia, while the U.K. is the country’s third largest trading partner in Europe. Bilateral partnership is going from strength to strength, he said, citing the Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement inked last year and the recent UK-Taiwan energy dialogue, as well as the fact that over 40 British offshore wind power companies have established bases in Taiwan.
In addition, the premier noted that Taiwan is committed to exchanging experience and deepening cooperation with other countries developing sustainable energy industries. He went on to state that as a member of the international community, Taiwan will continue to uphold the universal values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights, while working to advance global peace and prosperity.
In response, Dennis reaffirmed that the U.K.’s longstanding policy toward Taiwan remains unchanged. The two sides enjoy close collaboration in areas spanning energy, technology, bilingual education, gender equality and personnel training, he said, adding that the U.K. will continue to support Taiwan’s meaningful participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization and its decision-making body, World Health Assembly.
The U.K. looks forward to becoming a full CPTPP member later this year and will share its accession experience with Taiwan, he said. Dennis further pledged that the U.K. is dedicated to enhancing peace and prosperity in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific regions.
The meeting followed Dennis’ meeting with President Lai Ching-te Aug. 26 at the Presidential Office in Taipei City, during which Lai thanked Dennis for his contributions to strengthening Taiwan-U.K. ties, and for the U.K. government and parliament’s support for Taiwan. Lai added that Taiwan will support the democratic umbrella to protect global peace and prosperity. (YCH-E)
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