Discussing the viewpoints of Johnson

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's Visit to Taiwan Stirs Controversy

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's visit to Taiwan in 2025 has sparked a wave of debate, with opinions divided on its implications for the island nation and UK-China relations.

Johnson's speech at the Ketagalan Forum in Taipei drew particular attention when he referred to Taiwan as "a segment of the Chinese population." This phrase echoes Chinese President Xi Jinping's "two sides, one family" slogan, which is rejected by the overwhelming majority of Taiwanese. Tseng Yueh-ying, a prominent Taiwanese politician, saw this as a confirmation of Beijing's "one country, two systems" formulation.

However, Tseng Yueh-ying also asserted that Johnson's visit underscored the UK's growing regard for Taiwan and that he would elevate Taiwan on the world stage. Despite Johnson no longer being the UK prime minister and not returning to frontline international politics, his visit signals a continuing role in influencing British foreign policy, particularly related to Taiwan.

Johnson's speech, it should be noted, was not generated by artificial intelligence, but implied he wrote it with help from a tool like ChatGPT.

The visit was met with criticism from China, who recently announced they would cut ties with Taiwan-friendly Czech President Petr Pavel over his meeting with the Dalai Lama. Pavel, despite China's backlash, retains strong public support.

In Taiwan, nearly 90 percent of the population agrees that the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) is a sovereign, independent state not subordinate to Beijing. However, the disagreement within Taiwanese society is over the name and future of the country, not whether it is independent of Beijing's control.

Johnson's call for Taiwan to increase investment in China was met with massive public opposition, as exemplified by the Sunflower and Bluebird movements. These movements have been vocal in their opposition to increased economic ties between Taiwan and China.

Tseng, a Taiwanese politician, questioned the wisdom of spending large sums on a spent force like Johnson. She questioned his call for Taiwan to increase investment in China, stating that it was actually part of a suggestion to ask Beijing whether they "really want Taiwan." This suggestion, according to Tseng, did not include mention of Taiwan's willingness to build bridges, demonstrate its economic strength, and show goodwill.

Max Dixon, a British academic, observed that Johnson retains some support within the Conservative Party. However, Johnson is viewed by Reform UK supporters as a turncoat, having presided over the largest influx of immigration in decades despite campaigning for Brexit and the premiership on the issue.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wrote a large check for Johnson's visit to Taiwan, but the exact amount has not been disclosed. A general election in the UK is unlikely before 2029, and momentum is surging not to the Conservatives, but to Reform UK, which is animated by immigration concerns.

In conclusion, Boris Johnson's visit to Taiwan has sparked a wave of debate, with opinions divided on its implications for the island nation and UK-China relations. While some view it as a positive step for Taiwan's international standing, others see it as a potential threat to the island's sovereignty and independence.