Former UK PM Johnson Says Taiwan Statehood Far More Robust Than Palestine

Boris Johnson, during his first visit to Taiwan, urged the UK to reconsider its stance on the island, arguing that Taiwan's claim to statehood is "far more robust" than that of Palestine. He highlighted that Taiwan meets the Montevideo Convention criteria for statehood, including a recognized government, defined territory, and a proper democratic system, unlike Palestine. Johnson drew a parallel with recent UK foreign policy developments where Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Britain's readiness to recognize Palestinian statehood by September, contingent on certain conditions from Israel. China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has not ruled out using force for unification, escalating military pressure and diplomatic isolation of Taiwan, which is officially recognized by only a handful of countries. While the UK does not formally recognize Taiwan as a sovereign state, it maintains a permanent diplomatic presence in Taipei and supports Taiwan's participation in international organizations where statehood is not required. Johnson’s comments reflect a growing debate within the UK about how to balance relations with China and support for Taiwan amid increasing geopolitical tensions.