Blitz Bureau
Taiwan and Britain are holding a new round of trade talks focusing on investment and green energy, officials said on Wednesday, according to Reuters.
Despite a lack of formal ties, Taiwan sees Britain as an important democratic partner, thanks to its concern over stepped-up Chinese military activities near the island, which Beijing views as its own territory. Britain also supports Taiwan’s participation in global bodies such as the World Health Organisation.
Because of its diplomatic isolation and pressure from China, Taiwan, major semiconductor producer, has few formal foreign trade agreements, though it belongs to the World Trade Organisation and has free trade pacts with Singapore and New Zealand, the news agency said. Taiwan’s Office of Trade Negotiations said talks with visiting British officials in Taipei focused on issues such as digital trade, investment, renewable energy and net-zero emissions.
Both sides “do not rule out signing relevant agreements”, said office spokesperson Benjamin Hsu.
