Former British prime minister Liz Truss will say in Taiwan on Wednesday (May 16) . The West must avoid appeasing China and show unwavering support for the self-governed island. In a speech that risks further damaging Britain’s relations with Beijing.
Truss is the most well-known British politician to visit Taiwan since former prime minister Margaret Thatcher in the 1990s. Her trip comes at a time when relations between Britain and China are the worst in decades.
She represents a hawkish wing of the governing Conservative Party that opposes the British government’s approach to China. It involves seeking to engage in areas such as trade and climate change while trying to limit national security threats.
After forced out of office in a record 49 days last October over unfunded tax cuts that buffeted the financial markets. Truss has made speeches aimed at rebuilding her political reputation and adding pressure on her successor. Rishi Sunak, to take a stronger stance on several issues.
Last month, the foreign minister James Cleverly made the clearest attempt to explain Britain’s approach to China under Sunak. It states that isolating Beijing would be a mistake and emphasises the need for engagement in areas such as climate change.