Source: Republic of China Taiwan
Foreign Minister Lin hosts welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Johnson
Date：2025-08-05
Data Source：Department of European Affairs
August 5, 2025No. 276Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung hosted a welcome luncheon for former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson on August 5 and thanked him for staunchly supporting peace across the Indo-Pacific region and the Taiwan Strait. During the luncheon, they held an in-depth exchange of views on issues including geopolitical developments and Taiwan-UK economic and trade cooperation.Minister Lin expressed appreciation to former Prime Minister Johnson for having mentioned for the first time the importance of cross-strait peace and stability in a Group of Seven leaders’ communiqué in 2021. At the time, the United Kingdom was under his leadership and held the rotating presidency of the G7. Minister Lin noted that in the same year, the UK’s Integrated Review outlined the Indo-Pacific tilt policy, which underscored the interconnectedness of the Indo-Pacific and the transatlantic regions. He added that the United Kingdom had continued to take concrete action to protect peace and stability by transiting naval vessels through the Taiwan Strait, upholding freedom of navigation. Minister Lin said that he looked forward to Taiwan and the United Kingdom advancing cooperation in all domains and deepening their democratic partnership. Former Prime Minister Johnson remarked that Taiwan stood on the front line of democracy and freedom against totalitarianism. He stated that at this critical moment, as the world was facing daunting challenges, Taiwan’s peace and stability were of utmost importance. He added that the world needed Taiwan to successfully preserve democracy and that the United Kingdom—also an island country—would support Taiwan and jointly safeguard shared values.During his tenure from 2019 to 2022, former Prime Minister Johnson closely followed developments in the Indo-Pacific. Moreover, he led the United Kingdom in emphasizing fundamental values such as freedom, democracy, and the rule of law at international events and in policymaking. This visit demonstrated his steadfast support for Taiwan as well as the friendly ties between Taiwan and the United Kingdom. (E)