Written question asked by Derek Wyatt (Labour) on Thursday, 19 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 January 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Tuesday, 24 January 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Taiwan

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last raised the sovereignty of Taiwan with his Chinese counterpart.

Answer: In their bilateral meeting, during the Chinese State Visit in November 2005, my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Taiwan with his Chinese counterpart, Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister also discussed Taiwan with President Hu during his meeting.Our long-standing position on Taiwan remains unchanged: that is, we acknowledge the position of the Chinese Government that Taiwan is a province of China and recognise the Chinese Government as the sole legal government of China. The United Kingdom considers the Taiwan issue is one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. We are strongly opposed to any use of force and urge both sides to engage in constructive dialogue.

Secondary information