“Taiwan is already an independent country, under the name of the Republic of China,” reads the British East Asia foreign policy report. “Taiwan has all the requirements to become an independent country, including a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and the ability to establish relations with other countries – it just lacks international recognition.”

The Foreign Affairs Committee used those words for the first time, confirmed committee chair Alicia Kearns. Beijing views Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China and frequently threatens to take over the democratic island republic. China is also trying to push Taiwan towards international isolation and rejecting official contact from other countries with Taipei.

“We acknowledge China’s position, but we don’t accept it,” Kearns said. “It is critical for the Minister of Foreign Affairs to firmly and loudly support Taiwan and affirm that we will uphold Taiwan’s right to self-determination.”

Cleverly is the first British Foreign Secretary to visit China in five years. On Wednesday, he met Vice President Han Zheng and will also speak with his counterpart Wang Yi.

During his conversation, he spoke, among other things, about human rights in China. “I think the Chinese government understands that the UK is consistent in standing up for human rights. Therefore I will continue to talk about this issue, “said the man from England. In response, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson criticized the report for “reversing right and wrong and confusing black and white.”

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