Roving Periscope: Now, the UK warns China–‘Any attack on Taiwan may trigger ‘global turmoil’

Virendra Pandit

New Delhi: As China prepares for a potential ‘showdown’ on Taiwan, the United Kingdom has warned it that any attack on the self-ruled island would trigger domestic and international turmoil.

Beijing has also warned that any conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have a “catastrophic impact.”

On Tuesday, London warned Beijing against any attack on Taiwan, telling it risked triggering domestic and global turmoil if it failed to uphold its international obligations.

In a foreign policy speech, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, a former Army officer, restated that London wants to see a “peaceful settlement” to sovereignty claims.

China claims self-ruled Taiwan as its territory and has vowed to seize it one day, by force if necessary.

Only this week, China first questioned the sovereignty of the former Soviet republics and then subtly ‘supported’ their territorial integrity—which suits its own “One China” ambition to annex Taiwan with the mainland to complete its own version of ‘territorial integrity.’

Earlier this month, Chinese forces held military exercises simulating targeted strikes and a blockade of the island which has been self-ruling since the 1940s.

Cleverly said the conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have a catastrophic impact on world supply chains, particularly on advanced semiconductors.

“A war across the Strait would not only be a human tragedy, but it would also destroy world trade worth USD 2.6 trillion, according to the Nikkei Asia,” he added.

“No country could shield itself from the repercussions…Distance would offer no protection from this catastrophic blow to the global economy –- and to China most of all.

“I shudder to contemplate the human and financial ruin that would follow. So it’s essential that no party takes unilateral action to change the status quo.”

Cleverly’s speech comes as Britain seeks to reset its foreign policy priorities after its departure from the European Union, with a ‘tilt’ towards the Indo-Pacific region. He recently returned from the region to cement political, trade, and military links, in response to the Chinese expansion plans.

Relations between London and Beijing have remained strained in recent years, notably over China’s squeeze on civil rights in the former British colony of Hong Kong.

Tempers have risen also over the treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority in Xinjiang and a block on technology firm Huawei’s involvement in the roll-out of Britain’s 5G telecoms network.

Hawkish elements in Britain’s ruling Conservative party have urged their government, led by Indian-origin Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, to take a tougher stance on China.

But Cleverly instead urged a pragmatic, constructive, and united Western approach to China’s rising power, acknowledging the need to work in partnership with the Asian power.

“This government will advance British interests directly with China, alongside our allies, while steadfastly defending our national security and our values.”

Cleverly said “profound disagreements” could be expected when dealing with the Chinese leadership, not least over a clash of values.

He urged China to uphold its international obligations, including the Joint Declaration it signed with Britain to preserve Hong Kong’s freedoms, and the UN Charter.

“If China breaks them, we are entitled to say so and to act — and we will,” he added, urging Beijing not to see that as interference in domestic affairs.

“Peaceful co-existence has to begin with respecting fundamental laws and institutions, including the UN Charter, which protects every country against invasion,” he said.

“And that means every country.”

Cleverly also urged Beijing to abandon its neutral stance on Russian aggression in Ukraine.

“A country that wants a respected place at the apex of the world order should stand up for its own principles, and keep its solemn obligation to defend the laws at the very foundation of that order,” he added.

“This responsibility goes hand-in-hand with China’s right to play a global role commensurate with its size and history.”