Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Lebanese Health Ministry: 1 woman martyred, 11 wounded in Israeli strike on residential apartment in Nabatieh, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Four civilians injured in Israeli strike that targeted house in Nabatieh al-Fawqa, South Lebanon.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch strikes on regions of al-Mahmoudiyah, al-Khardali
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli aircraft execute series of strikes in Kfar Tibnit, South Lebanon.
Iranian ambassador in Beijing to Al Mayadeen: We hope that Europe and the US give up their illegal actions and authoritarian hegemony.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli shelling targets displaced persons' tent in Al-Mawasi, Khan Younis, casualties were reported
IOF storm Jalazone camp, north of Al Bireh city in the occupied West Bank
Israeli media: A severe incident reported in Gaza some time ago
Israeli media: Military evacuation helicopters are transporting injured soldiers from Khan Younis
Israeli media: A security incident has been reported in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip

UK approves increased submarine-related exports to Taiwan: Reuters

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 13 Mar 2023 22:05
5 Min Read

Lawmakers with knowledge of the exports say the approvals demonstrate Britain's greater readiness to back Taiwan.

  • x
  • People attend the ceremony for the start of construction of a new submarine fleet in Kaohsiung, Taiwan, November 24, 2020. REUTERS
    People attend the ceremony for the start of construction of a new submarine fleet in Taiwan, Nov. 24, 2020 (Reuters)

In 2022, Britain approved a significant increase in submarine parts and technology exports to Taiwan as it modernizes its naval forces, a step that might affect British-Chinese relations, Reuters reported on Monday.

The UK government export licensing data show that the value of licenses issued by the government to corporations for the sale of submarine-related components and technology to Taiwan reached a record 167 million pounds ($201.29 million) during the first nine months of last year. This is more than the preceding six years combined, according to Reuters.

Although the data is publicly available, the most current Taiwan-related numbers haven't previously been reported.

After Reuters provided the numbers to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, the latter considered in a statement that "if this is true, it is a serious violation of the one-China principle, undermines China's sovereignty and security interests, and undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."

"China is highly concerned about this and firmly opposes it," the Ministry stressed, calling on Britain to "refrain from providing military support to the Taiwan authorities."

Although the UK does not recognize Taiwan and has no formal diplomatic relations with the island, it maintains economic and trade ties, and there is a de facto British embassy in Taipei.

Read more: Taiwan accelerates military drone production amid tensions with China

On the other hand, a British government spokesperson pointed out in a statement that the UK has a long record of "granting licenses for exports of controlled goods to Taiwan, on a case-by-case basis, where those applications are consistent with the rules that regulate the exports of arms and dual-use products."

"We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion," the statement read.

Reuters cited two government officials, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, as saying that the increased number of licenses issued reflects increased demand from Taiwan.

Related News

Top Taiwan officials indicted on charges of espionage for China

Hegseth warns of China while pressuring allies to boost arms spending

The news agency also cited two lawmakers with knowledge of the exports and two former officials as saying that the approvals demonstrate Britain's greater readiness to back Taiwan.

According to Reuters, the data come from the Export Control Organisation, which is part of the UK Department for International Trade and is in charge of export licensing. It reveals that the government approved 25 export permits to Taiwan during the first nine months of 2022 under the categories "components for submarines" and "technology for submarines."

It is noteworthy that on Monday, the British government announced an increase in defense expenditure as part of an update to its defense, security, and foreign policy priorities, outlining how it intends to tackle alleged "new threats" from China and Russia.

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak specifically identified China’s stance in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait as among issues "threatening to create a world defined by danger, disorder and division – and an international order more favourable to authoritarianism."

Commenting on the submarine-related exports from Britain, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry pointed out that its ship-building program was "a major national policy, and the navy has promoted various projects in a pragmatic way under it."

"We hope that all walks of life will continue to give their support, to jointly maintain the security and peace of the Taiwan Strait," the Ministry said in a statement.

As Taiwan revealed plans to develop a submarine fleet in 2017, Britain began to offer submarine-related licenses. Reuters previously reported that a number of foreign submarine technology providers have been assisting the effort with the agreement of their own governments.

According to licensing statistics, Britain permitted the export of 87 million pounds worth of submarine components and technology to Taiwan in 2020, up from 31,415 pounds in 2017 and none in 2016. In 2021, the value of such licenses approved plunged to just about 9 million pounds.

Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the UK parliament's defense committee and a Conservative Party member who visited Taiwan in December, told Reuters that the British government must be careful about how much information it makes public about the equipment covered by the export permits.

"An announcement of the specific nature of these exports risks revealing sensitive information on Taiwan's defensive capabilities and some of the UK government's caution in discussing these exports is valid," Ellwood pointed out.

One former British official also underlined that "every decision around Taiwan is made very deliberately and usually cautiously."

Read more: China to fight resolutely 'Taiwan independence' in 2023

  • Taiwan
  • Taipei
  • UK
  • United Kingdom

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli occupation soldiers search for settlers amid the rubble of buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, central occupied Palestine, on Sunday, June 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran missile strike flattens Bat Yam, displaces 2,000 settlers

Palestinian fighters from the Islamic Jihad militant group riding on a truck with weaponry on display take part in an anti-Israel parade marking the 36th anniversary of the movement's founding, in Gaza City, Wednesday, Oct. 4, 2023 (AP)
Politics

Palestinian Resistance attacks Israeli forces in Khan Younis, Jabalia

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stands waiting to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin for the talks at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, Monday, June 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran suspends IAEA cooperation, Araghchi blames Grossi for attacks

The commander of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit, Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi (Illustrated by Mahdi Rtail for Al Mayadeen English)
Politics

Who was Mohammad Said Izadi, head of the Quds Force's Palestine Unit?

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS