August 3, 2017
No.130
MP Andrew Rosindell, Vice Chair of the British-Taiwanese All-Party Parliamentary Group, is leading an 11-member delegation, consisting of representatives of both houses of the United Kingdom’s parliament, to Taiwan at the invitation of the government of the Republic of China (Taiwan) from July 30 to August 5, 2017.
The visit is designed to give the parliamentarians a better understanding of Taiwan’s current political and economic developments, Five Plus Two Innovative Industries initiative, diplomatic relations, and cross-strait relations. They will also gain insights on Taiwan-UK economic and trade relations and railway industry cooperation, while advancing inter-parliamentary exchanges.
The delegation will have an audience with President Tsai Ing-wen, and call at the Legislative Yuan, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, National Development Council, Mainland Affairs Council, and British Office Taipei. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Taichung City government will also hold receptions in their honor. In addition, the delegation will visit sites of cultural and economic interest, such as the National Palace Museum, Taipei 101, and Taipei Rapid Transit Corp., as well as Chung Tai Chan Monastery and Sun Moon Lake in Nantou County.
In recent years, Taiwan and the United Kingdom have maintained close ties in such realms as the economy and trade, mutual judicial assistance, tourism, transportation, and youth exchange. Last year, the UK was Taiwan’s third-largest trading partner in Europe, while Taiwan was the UK’s eighth-largest trading partner in the Asia-Pacific, with bilateral trade reaching US$5.85 billion.
Following the inclusion of Taiwan in the UK’s Registered Traveller service in January 2016, the two countries signed a prisoner transfer agreement that May. Since a youth exchange program was launched in 2011, young people from both sides have actively participated in bilateral exchanges. This year, the application process was further streamlined after the UK provided Taiwanese applicants Deemed Sponsorship status. The two countries will continue to enhance their substantive ties based on this solid foundation.
The other members of the delegation include Baroness Ludford; MP Sarah Champion; MP James Cleverly; MP Ian Murray; MP Paul Scully and Mrs. Scully; MP Paula Sheriff; and MP Martin Vickers and Mrs. Vickers. (E)