Former Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen is scheduled to visit the United Kingdom this week at the invitation of British lawmakers. The visit comes as the UK seeks to strengthen its relationship with China, which continues efforts to diplomatically isolate Taiwan.
Although Britain, like most nations, does not formally recognize Taiwan, bilateral political and economic ties have grown—particularly as Beijing escalates military pressure aimed at asserting its sovereignty over the democratic island.
Tsai, who stepped down in May 2024, remains a prominent figure representing Taiwan’s resistance to Chinese aggression. Currently in Lithuania, she plans to travel to Denmark and then the UK, according to a statement from her office. The visit is intended to enhance friendship between Taiwan and Britain, and Tsai is expected to meet several British politicians, though specific names were not provided.
A graduate of the London School of Economics, Tsai has deep personal ties to the UK.
Neither the UK’s Foreign Office nor China’s foreign ministry has yet commented on the visit. Tsai was originally set to visit London in October 2024, but the trip was called off due to its overlap with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy’s visit to Beijing during a period of attempted diplomatic reset.
Last year, Tsai visited multiple European countries and Canada—trips that drew sharp criticism from Beijing, which labels her a “separatist.”
Despite the absence of formal diplomatic relations, Taiwan views the UK as a key democratic partner.
In 2023, both sides signed an Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement, and the UK has also supported Taiwan’s domestic submarine development—part of Tsai’s broader strategy to bolster national defense.
China continues to claim Taiwan as a province with no independent statehood, a position firmly rejected by the government in Taipei.
