The UK approved a sharp increase in exports of submarine parts and technology last year to Taiwan as it upgrades its naval forces.
The value of licenses granted by the UK government to companies for the export of submarine components and technology to Taiwan totaled a record ￡167 million (US$202 million) during the first nine months of last year, UK government export licensing data showed.
That is more than the previous six years combined, a Reuters analysis of the data showed.
Photo: REUTERS
The data is publicly accessible, but the most recent figures on Taiwan have not previously been reported.
Beijing considers Taiwan part of China, and strongly objects to perceived foreign interference with the nation, as it believes it to be support for Taiwanese sovereignty.
When presented with the figures by Reuters, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said: “If this is true, it is a serious violation of the ‘one China’ principle, undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests, and undermines peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.”
“China is highly concerned about this and firmly opposes it,” it said, urging the UK to “refrain from providing military support to the Taiwan authorities.”
The UK has a long record of “granting licenses for exports of controlled goods to Taiwan, on a case-by-case basis, where those applications are consistent with the rules that regulate the exports of arms and dual-use products,” a British government spokesperson said in a statement.
“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,” they added.
The increase in licenses granted reflects greater demand from Taiwan, two British government officials said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.
Two British lawmakers with knowledge of the exports and two former British officials said the approvals reflected the UK’s increased willingness to support Taiwan.
One of the lawmakers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said authorizing the export licenses amounted to giving a “green light” to better equip Taiwan.
The data is from the Export Control Organisation, which is responsible for export licensing and sits within the British Department for International Trade.
It shows that the UK government authorized 25 export licenses to Taiwan during the first nine months of last year under the “components for submarines” and “technology for submarines” categories.
The data does not disclose which companies received the authorization or detail what equipment it covers.
In response to a request for comment about the submarine-related exports from the UK, the Ministry of National Defense said that its ship-building program was “a major national policy, and the navy has promoted various projects in a pragmatic way under it.”
“We hope that all walks of life will continue to give their support, to jointly maintain the security and peace of the Taiwan Strait,” it said.
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