China warns UK it may cut diplomatic ties if PM Keir Starmer does not back Beijing's Taiwan claims. [Photo: Reuters]
China has warned the United Kingdom that it could cut diplomatic ties if Prime Minister Keir Starmer does not publicly support Beijing’s claims over Taiwan.
Speaking to The Telegraph, China’s ambassador to the UK, Zheng Zeguang, said backing China’s position is the "key to ensuring the sound and steady development of UK-China relations." He added that Britain must accept "Taiwan has never been a country" and "belongs to China."
Zheng reminded the UK that it made an "unequivocal commitment" to recognize China’s ownership of Taiwan when the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1972. He warned that this understanding must not be forgotten.
While Britain acknowledges Beijing’s position under the One China policy, it does not endorse it. Zheng urged London to "honour the solemn commitments it made in 1972" and to "handle Taiwan-related issues prudently."
Beijing regards Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy of 23 million people, as a breakaway province. China has vowed to bring Taiwan under its control, by force if necessary. Chinese warships and fighter jets now patrol near the island almost daily as part of a pressure campaign.
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te has firmly rejected China’s sovereignty claims, saying the island’s future should be decided only by its people.
Former UK security minister Tom Tugendhat responded to Zheng’s comments, warning against China’s approach. He said:
"China's attempts to distort international law, including claims that UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 confers dominion over Taiwan, should be resisted. These are rightly matters for the Taiwanese people to determine. Using economic coercion to force others to submit does not make it legal."
UK officials have repeatedly stressed their commitment to the One China policy while maintaining support for Taiwan’s democratic system.
The warning from Beijing comes amid growing tensions in global diplomacy over Taiwan. Analysts say China is increasingly using economic and political pressure to influence foreign governments.
The threat to cut ties is unusual and signals a tougher Chinese stance on countries that do not fully back its claims. Experts note that such moves could complicate trade, security cooperation, and diplomatic relations between the UK and China.
China’s warning highlights the growing economic and strategic stakes in the Taiwan issue. The UK is a major trading partner and a global player in international security. Any deterioration in UK-China relations could have ripple effects in trade, investment, and defense cooperation.
Observers say the conflict also tests Western unity on Taiwan, with other nations closely watching whether the UK will bow to Chinese pressure or maintain its current stance of cautious support for Taiwan’s democracy.
