UK approves elevated submarine-related exports to Taiwan, risking angering China

The worth of licences granted by the British authorities to corporations for the export of submarine-related elements and know-how to Taiwan totalled a report 167 million kilos ($201.29 million) in the course of the first 9 months of final yr, based on UK authorities export licensing information.

A S70C helicopter will be seen flying round SS793 submarine as a part of Taiwan’s essential annual “Han Kuang” workouts (Reuters/File)

By Reuters:

Britain accredited a pointy enhance in exports of submarine components and know-how final yr to Taiwan because it upgrades its naval forces, a transfer that would affect British ties with China.

The worth of licences granted by the British authorities to corporations for the export of submarine-related elements and know-how to Taiwan totalled a report 167 million kilos ($201.29 million) in the course of the first 9 months of final yr, based on UK authorities export licensing information. That is greater than the earlier six years mixed, a Reuters evaluation of the info confirmed.

The information is publicly accessible however the latest Taiwan-related figures haven’t beforehand been reported.

Beijing considers Taiwan a part of China, often known as the One-China coverage, and strongly objects to perceived international interference with the island, believing it to be assist for Taiwan’s want to be recognised as its personal nation.

When offered with the figures by Reuters, China’s international ministry mentioned in an announcement: “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,” said the written statement, which urged Britain to “refrain from providing military support to the Taiwan authorities.”

Britain does not recognise Taiwan and has no formal diplomatic relations with the island but it maintains economic and trade ties and there is a de facto British embassy in Taipei.

A British government spokesperson said in a statement the UK has a long record of “granting licences 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.”

“We take into account the Taiwan situation one to be settled peacefully by the individuals on either side of the Taiwan Strait by constructive dialogue, with out the risk or use of pressure or coercion,” the statement added.

The increase in licences granted reflects greater demand from Taiwan, two government officials said on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the issue.

Two lawmakers with knowledge of the exports and two former officials said the approvals reflected Britain’s increased willingness to support Taiwan. One of the lawmakers, who also spoke on the condition of anonymity, said authorising the export licences amounted to giving a “inexperienced mild” to better equip Taiwan.

The data is from the Export Control Organisation, which is responsible for export licensing and sits within the UK Department for International Trade. It shows the government authorised 25 export licences to Taiwan during the first nine months of 2022 under the categories “elements for submarines” and “know-how for submarines.”

The data doesn’t disclose which companies received the authorisation or detail what specific equipment it covers.

One licence sort, referred to as ML9, covers “vessels of war, special naval equipment, accessories, components, and other surface vessels,” according to Britain’s list of strategic military items that require export authorisation. Another license type, ML22, includes technology that is required for the development, production, operation, installation, maintenance, repair or goods or software.

The British government on Monday announced a boost to defence spending as it unveiled an update to its defence, security and foreign policy priorities, setting out how it plans to “tackle new threats” from China and Russia.

HEIGHTENED TENSIONS

Military tensions between Beijing and Taipei are at their highest in a long time. Taiwan, some 100 miles southeast from the Chinese coast, has mentioned it’s constructing a fleet of submarines to construct up its naval defences. Taiwan has for many years been unable to purchase standard submarines from different international locations due to their considerations about angering China.

Taiwan’s democratically-elected authorities strongly rejects China’s sovereignty claims, saying solely the island’s individuals can resolve their future.

As Reuters beforehand reported, an array of international submarine know-how distributors, with the approval of their governments, have been aiding this system.

In response to a request for remark in regards to the submarine-related exports from Britain, Taiwan’s defence ministry mentioned in an announcement that its ship-building programme 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,” the ministry mentioned.

Taipei goals to check its first prototype by September and ship the primary of the deliberate eight vessels by 2025.

Britain’s granting of submarine-related licences started to tick up after Taiwan introduced it deliberate to construct the submarine fleet in 2017.

Britain accredited the export of 87 million kilos value of submarine elements and know-how to Taiwan in 2020, up from 31,415 kilos in 2017 and none in 2016, based on the licensing information. The worth of such licences accredited in 2021 dipped to simply beneath 9 million kilos.

Published On:

Mar 13, 2023