TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Guardian reported Monday (Nov. 25) that former President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) canceled her planned visit to the United Kingdom in mid-October due to intervention from the U.K. Foreign Office. Tsai, who visited France and Belgium instead, missed the opportunity to address the U.K. Parliament.
A U.K. Foreign Office spokesperson responded to claims of their interference, stating, "We do not recognize this characterization of events." Foreign Secretary David Lammy echoed this sentiment in Parliament at the end of October. The Foreign Office emphasized that Members of Parliament operate independently from the government and have the freedom to invite guests.
The Guardian revealed that the U.K.-Taiwan Parliamentary Group initially planned to host Tsai in Parliament. However, the Foreign Office advised postponing the visit due to Lammy's upcoming "goodwill visit" to China. A source involved in the discussions disclosed the cancellation's rationale.
Given the absence of formal diplomatic relations between Taiwan and the U.K., correspondence with Taiwan's representative office in London did not involve senior Foreign Office officials. The Guardian suggested Tsai might visit the U.K. next spring, provided her trip does not clash with Chancellor Rachel Reeves' planned visit to China for the Economic and Financial Dialogue.
The Guardian reported that the Taiwanese representative office had attempted to arrange for Tsai to deliver a speech in Parliament and host a small reception. Despite months of discussions, Tsai's office did not comment on The Guardian's inquiries. Observers now await potential developments in Tsai's future travel plans.