For the first time, the British parliament referred to Taiwan as an "independent country" in an official document, while Foreign Secretary James Cleverly visits China this week.

Potential backlash amid Cleverly's visit to China

The report released on Wednesday by the foreign affairs committee of the House of Commons carries the potential of drawing a strong backlash from Beijing.

This development coincides with Cleverly becoming the inaugural senior British representative to visit Beijing in five years, within the context of a strained relationship. It is worth noting that only around 13 nations across the globe diplomatically recognize Taipei instead of Beijing.

The committee's report asserts, "Taiwan already exists as an independent nation, under the moniker Republic of China. It possesses all the prerequisites for statehood, including a permanent population, a defined territory, an established government, and the capacity to foster relations with other states. The sole lacking element is broader international acknowledgment."

Alicia Kearns: Upholding Taiwan's right to self-determination

This marks the first instance of a UK parliamentary report making such a declaration, according to Alicia Kearns, Chairperson of the Committee and a member of the Conservative Party in power.

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Kearns conveyed to Politico, "While we recognize China’s standpoint, as members of the foreign affairs committee, we do not endorse it."

It is of utmost importance that the foreign secretary resolutely and vociferously supports Taiwan and communicates our commitment to upholding Taiwan’s right to self-determination."

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China's call 

In response to the report, Wang Wenbin, the spokesperson for China's Foreign Ministry, criticized it for "inverting right and wrong and muddling the facts," adding that "China calls upon the British parliament to adhere to the 'one China' principle... and cease sending misleading signals to pro-independence Taiwanese separatist forces."

The committee urged officials to prepare sanctions alongside allies as a deterrent against China. It is worth noting that Taiwan a key supplier of 90 percent of the world's advanced semiconductors.

"The UK could foster closer relations with Taiwan if it wasn't excessively cautious about offending the [Chinese Communist Party]," the committee noted. "The UK should ease self-imposed constraints on interactions with Taiwanese officials. The examples set by the US and Japan highlight that communication is feasible even at the highest levels."

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British government's China strategy

"Given Germany's publication of a China strategy, it is evident that the UK government could release a public, non-classified version that would offer guidance to both the public and private sectors, as they seek direction," the report stated.

It also emphasized that Whitehall should adopt a firmer stance against China's "cross-border repression" on British soil, which includes imposing sanctions on UK lawmakers or harassing dissidents.

Kearns asserted, "Cleverly must be unequivocal that defense does not equate to escalation, and that the UK will stand unwaveringly and take action against any attempts at cross-border repression."

On that note, the government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has refrained from categorizing China as a general "threat," instead portraying it as an "epoch-defining and systemic challenge."