UK determined to work with allies so that Taiwan can defend itself: UK PM

UK determined to work with allies so that Taiwan can defend itself: UK PM

2022-09-26

Peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait has been a hot topic of discussion in many recent interviews with world leaders. In an interview with CNN, U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss said that the U.K. would work with its allies to ensure Taiwan can defend itself. In a separate interview South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol said that both the Korean Peninsula and the Taiwan Strait were significant security issues for the U.S.

Liz Truss
UK prime minister
Determined to work with our allies to make sure that Taiwan is able to defend itself.

Earlier this month, U.S. President Joe Biden openly stated for the fourth time that the U.S. would come to Taiwan’s defense in a Chinese attack. On Sunday, U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss also voiced a pro-Taiwan position.

Jake Tapper
CNN reporter
But when you say “stand by” does that mean you would go as far as President Biden has gone in saying that the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily? Would the U.K. defend Taiwan military if China invades?

Liz Truss
UK prime minister
What I’ve been clear about is that all of our allies need to make sure Taiwan is able to defend itself. And that is very, very important. We need to learn the lessons from Ukraine.

In an exclusive interview with CNN, Truss stressed that democratic countries had come together to enact sanctions against Russia and offer military aid for Ukraine. She warned that a win by Russia would send a message to authoritarian regimes, including China, that it is “acceptable” to invade sovereign nations.

Liz Truss
UK prime minister
We support and work with our G7 allies, first of all to reduce our strategic dependency on China, and also to make sure that we are standing by our democratic allies around the world.

Truss said that the U.K. would work with its allies to put together a joint response to Beijing. Meanwhile, in a different interview, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol, said that peace and stability in the Taiwan strait was key for peace in the Korean Peninsula.

Yoon Suk-yeol
President of South Korea
In the case of military conflict around Taiwan, there would be increased possibility of North Korean provocation. Therefore, in that case, the top priority for Korea and the U.S.-Korean alliance on the Korean Peninsula would be based on a robust defense posture. We must deal with the North Korean threat first.

The reporter asked Yoon whether he thought the U.S. would prioritize the defense of Taiwan over South Korea’s.

Yoon Suk-yeol
President of South Korea
It wouldn’t be appropriate to reply about a U.S. priority, because both the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan are very important for the U.S., I suppose. And are to be defended by the U.S. together with their allies and partners. So therefore I would say that both issues have significant importance.

During a previous visit to Canada, Yoon had told media that an emergency in Taiwan would impact regional peace. He added that South Korea would use all diplomatic means at its disposal to ensure stability in the Taiwan Strait. Further comments on the matter could come from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is on tour to Japan and South Korea. Senior officials say Taiwan will likely come up in many bilateral talks that she takes part in during the visit.