Source · Select Committees · Defence Committee
Recommendation 1
1
Accepted
Paragraph: 19
Set out classified plans for UK response to potential China-Taiwan conflict
Recommendation
The Chinese Government’s wider goal to achieve regional and global dominance— and the increasingly aggressive means by which it is pursuing this—highlight the long-term and strategic threat that China poses to the rules-based international order. It appears that China intends to confront Taiwan, whether by direct military action or ‘grey zone’ attacks, in the coming years. Any conflict in Taiwan will have formidable consequences across the globe and risks the international rules-based order. The Government and the UK Armed Forces must ensure that they have plans for the UK’s response—co-ordinated with allies and partners—to a range of actions by China against Taiwan. The Government should set out these plans to the Committee in a classified private briefing.
Government Response Summary
The government confirms it already conducts crisis planning for a wide range of global scenarios and commits to providing the Committee with a private briefing on Defence's crisis planning process.
Paragraph Reference:
19
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The IR21 and IRR23 highlight China’s increasing international assertiveness. China’s willingness to use all the levers of state power to achieve a dominant role in global affairs, combined with its more aggressive stance in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, are threatening to create a world defined by danger, disorder and division; an international order more favourable to authoritarianism. The UK has a clear interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. We consider the Taiwan issue one to be settled peacefully by the people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through constructive dialogue, without the threat or use of force or coercion. We do not support any unilateral attempts to change the status quo. This includes increased Chinese assertiveness towards Taiwan. We are increasingly concerned by the consequences should peace and stability fail in the Taiwan Strait, including global supply chains and the regional economy. We have restated the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait alongside our G7 partners. The Government has conducted and continues to conduct crisis planning against a wide range of possible scenarios globally, to ensure we are suitably prepared to respond to threats to the UK and our interests around the world; this covers all levers of government. The Government notes the Committee’s request for a private briefing. The Government would be happy to provide one on Defence’s crisis planning process.