Stewart (seventh from left), Chairman of the "Taiwan-British Council Group" of the British Parliament, visited the Legislative Yuan and took a group photo with President You Xikun (sixth from right).

(Photo by reporter Wang Yisong)

[Reporter Su Yongyao/Taipei Report] Legislative President You Xikun received the chairman of the British Council of Taiwan, Bob Stewart, and his party at noon today.

In February last year, Chairman Stewart and Alicia Kearns, chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the House of Commons, jointly launched the "Taiwan-UK Friendship and Cooperation" motion debate, and sent a letter to your country's national defense on the situation in the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan-UK relations The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and all the members of the upper and lower houses of your country's Congress explained the current situation of Taiwan-UK relations and the CCP's military threat to Taiwan, and called on his colleagues in Congress to give Taiwan firm support. He would like to express his sincere thanks.

You Xikun said that on the 13th of last week, the British government released a new version of the "Integrated Review Refresh 2023 (IR23)" (Integrated Review Refresh 2023, IR23), which is the first time Taiwan has been mentioned since the first similar document was released in 2021.

The report emphasizes the importance of maintaining stability in the Taiwan Strait and peacefully resolving the Taiwan issue through dialogue. We will also strive to maintain stability in the Taiwan Strait and oppose any unilateral changes to the status quo in the East and South China Seas.

On behalf of the people of Taiwan, I would like to express my gratitude to the British government.

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You said that the United Kingdom is the birthplace of "parliamentary democracy" and a model for Taiwan to learn from during its democratic development.

Although Taiwan's parliamentary politics started late, it is the result of the tenacious struggle of the people.

In February of this year, the 2022 Democracy Index Report released by the British "Economist Intelligence Unit" (EIU) ranked Taiwan 10th in the world and 1st in Asia for two consecutive years. We cherish the achievements of democracy today, so we will definitely defend it with all our strength. , and hope to continue to receive support.

You Xikun mentioned that at the "Munich Security Conference" (MSC) held in Europe last month, Wang Yi, the head of the Chinese delegation, repeated the same old tune, saying: "Taiwan has been a part of China since ancient times, and Taiwan has never been an independent country. "Wang Yi's remarks seriously deviated from the facts.

In this way, he wants to explain that the "San Francisco Peace Treaty", which was signed by 49 countries around the world after the war and came into effect on April 28, 1952, is the international legal framework that formally deals with Taiwan's status.

According to international law, Taiwan and Penghu do not belong to China; Taiwan is by no means a part of China, and it is an undeniable fact that Taiwan and China are not affiliated to each other.

You Xikun said that in disregard of historical facts, China has falsely claimed Taiwan's sovereignty to the outside world. Military aircraft and warships are invading day by day, eager to annex Taiwan, which not only undermines the stability of the Indo-Pacific region, but also poses a threat to international peace.

We call on all countries in the world that value democracy and freedom to give more attention and support to Taiwan.

He emphasized that democracy and freedom are our common language, and we are democratic allies, we must work together to ensure global peace, stability and development.

Legislative President You Xikun (right) received and hosted a banquet for the delegation led by the Chairman of the "Taiwan-British Committee" of the British Parliament Stewart (left).

(Photo by reporter Wang Yisong)