How a discursive shift signals the presence of a new liberal, progressive Taiwan in British foreign policy conceptions

A debate in the House of Commons on February the 10^th saw the emergence of a qualitatively divergent discourse on Taiwan within British politics. The motion, which all parties support, saw Alicia Kearns MP calling for tangible action from the government on UK-Taiwan relations. However, more important than the specific requests made was the nature of the debate and the language used within it to address Taiwan’s relationship to the UK and China. Kearns and Tom Tugendhat MP, Chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee, led a debate that branched beyond insular references to specific trade or healthcare connections between the UK and Taiwan that accounts for most passing references to Taiwan in the Commons. Nor did the debate fall into the geopolitical clichés often voiced in fleeting mentions of Taiwan and its proximity to China in Parliamentary security debates. Indeed, Kearns stressed the crucial importance of meticulous use of language regarding Taiwan to avoid Taiwan becoming a ‘useful pawn in our wider competition or debates.’ Moreover, this sentiment defined the UK-Taiwan Friendship and Co-operation motion, which introduced a unique Parliamentary discourse that recognised Taiwan and its peoples above all else. In the two-hour debate, the foundations of Taiwan and its recognition in the UK were re-built. It ceased to be a security issue and instead became a vibrant, blossoming democratic island nation with whom the UK shares many veins of cultural, trading, and political resemblance.