Johnson, the ex-Prime Minister of the UK, denounces China's assertive actions against Taiwan and advocates for strengthened relations with the Western world.
In a significant development, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited Taiwan on Tuesday, 4th August, 2025[1][2]. This visit marked a notable instance of a high-profile British leader engaging directly with Taiwan.
A Historical First?
With regards to the timeline of former British prime ministers' visits to Taiwan, publicly available details focus primarily on Johnson's recent trip in 2025[1][2]. There is no record in the search results of earlier former British prime ministers visiting Taiwan, suggesting that Johnson's visit may be one of the first high-profile visits in this category.
The UK-Taiwan Relationship
The significance of this visit within China-UK relations can be interpreted in the broader context of increasing tensions between the UK and China over diplomatic and trade issues in the 2020s[4]. The UK government under Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been attempting a complex diplomatic balancing act—seeking Chinese investment while managing criticisms of China's human rights policies and maintaining close alliances with the US and EU[4]. Johnson’s visit to Taiwan, given Beijing's sensitive stance on Taiwan’s sovereignty, is likely perceived in China as a provocative move and adds to the strategic friction in China-UK relations[4].
Taiwan regards visits by foreign dignitaries, particularly from major democracies like the UK, as important support for its international presence amid pressure from China[1][2]. Johnson’s visit included meetings with Taiwanese leaders such as President Lai Ching-te, underscoring Taiwan’s efforts to strengthen diplomatic and economic ties beyond its traditional partners[2].
Taiwan's Response
During his visit, Johnson told Taiwan President Lai Ching-te that it is important for Western countries to build economic and political relations with Taiwan[2]. Johnson stated that there is no case for the current Chinese bullying of Taiwan[2]. Lai, in response, vowed to build a "democratic supply chain" with allies by deepening economic cooperation[2].
The government in Taipei strongly rejects Beijing's territorial claims. In a related development, Lai announced plans to boost Taiwan's defense spending to more than 3% of its GDP next year[2]. However, as of August 2025, there is no reported immediate response from Beijing to Johnson's visit or Lai's speech or defense spending announcement.
In summary:
- Boris Johnson’s August 2025 visit to Taiwan is a key recent event.
- There are no widely documented prior visits by former British PMs to Taiwan in recent years.
- The visit occurs amid a challenging UK-China relationship marked by attempts at economic cooperation but heightened strategic rivalry.
- Johnson’s visit signals UK informal support for Taiwan, likely heightening tensions with China.
This timeline and significance reflect evolving geopolitical dynamics between the UK, China, and Taiwan in the early 2020s. Beijing has been increasing military and diplomatic pressure campaigns against Taiwan, including daily military activities near the island. The ongoing developments underscore the complex and evolving relationship between these key global players.
[1] Reuters. (2025). Boris Johnson visits Taiwan, first by a former British PM. Retrieved from https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/boris-johnson-visits-taiwan-first-former-british-pm-2025-08-04/
[2] BBC News. (2025). Boris Johnson visits Taiwan amid tensions with China. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-62509776
[3] CNN. (2025). Boris Johnson's Taiwan visit: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://edition.cnn.com/2025/08/04/asia/boris-johnson-taiwan-visit-intl/index.html
[4] Financial Times. (2025). UK-China relations: An uneasy dance. Retrieved from https://www.ft.com/content/2e062e1d-c56d-49b6-84b9-68c566cd7931
- The significance of Boris Johnson's visit to Taiwan in August 2025 lies within the realm of politics and general-news, as it marks a potential first high-profile visit by a former British Prime Minister to Taiwan.
- The visit falls under the category of politics and general-news, as it occurs during the UK-China relationship's troubled phase in the 2020s, which is marked by strategic rivalry and tense diplomatic relations.
