British Minister To Meet Taiwanese President For Trade Talks, China Disapproves

U.K. Trade Policy Minister Greg Hands is meeting with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen for the 25th annual trade talks between the two countries.

China fiercely disapproved of the talks and implied this week that the meeting between the U.K. Minister and Tai President was disrespectful to Chinese sovereignty and "sending the wrong signals" to those in favor of Taiwanese independence, as said by Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian.

China claims Taiwan is a territory and has been moving illegally and forcefully to annex the island. In August, following a visit from U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, China began military exercises in the waters around Taiwan there were designated as 'danger zones,' some of which overlapped into Taiwanese waters.

During the August military exercises, China activated over 100 aircraft and ten warships. Pelosi was visiting the country on a solidarity mission. China has strongly condemned foreign governments that visit or communicate with Taiwan and are attempting to cut off international relations through the 'One China' movement.

Lijian said Taiwan is an 'inseparable' part of China, and China "resolutely opposed" any trade negotiations between the U.K. and Taiwan.

"The U.S.-Taiwan collusion and provocation will only push Taiwan towards the abyss of disaster, bringing catastrophe to Taiwan compatriots," a Chinese defense ministry spokesperson said following Pelosi's visit.

Hand's trip to Taiwan is expected to last no more than two days. The United Kingdom considers Taiwan a strong economic ally. Taiwan only holds formal diplomatic ties with 14 nations, including the U.K. and the U.S. Taiwan is home to many tech companies and is 65% of the global computer chip market, according to research published by Trendforce in 2021.

Taiwan is considering plans to invest $10 million toward computer chip production in Lithuania. In response, China on Tuesday threatened that outside forces colluding with Taiwan for independence will be met with 'resolute opposition.'

The proposed investment plan comes after Lithuania's neighbors, Lavia and Estonia, left a Chinese-backed forum that attempted to boat Chinese and Easter-Europe relations. Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine and China's lack of criticism for the move, the two northern Eastern European countries backed out in retaliation.

A spokesperson for U.K. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Taiwan and the U.K.'s trade relationship is worth £8 billion a year, according to The Guardian.

"We have a vibrant, longstanding relationship on areas like trade and culture, and this will form part of that engagement," the spokesperson said.