Taiwan ‘specially invited’ to sign Queen Elizabeth’s condolence book
- Kelly Hsieh enjoyed the same treatment as heads of state, representatives of other countries who have gone to Britain to mourn
- Taiwan has not said if it will be allowed to send anyone to the state funeral on Monday. China is sending Vice-President Wang Qishan
Taiwan’s de facto ambassador in London received a “special invite” to sign the book of condolence for Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, the island’s foreign ministry said, adding he was given the same treatment as other dignitaries.
Britain, like most countries, has no diplomatic ties with mainland China-claimed Taiwan though they have close unofficial ones. Democratically governed Taiwan is largely excluded from most international events and bodies due to Beijing’s objections.
In a statement on Sunday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry said its representative in London, Kelly Hsieh, was “specially invited” by the British government to sign the condolence book at Lancaster House, which is run by the country’s foreign office.
The invitation came “based on the importance attached to Taiwan-Britain relations and the precious friendship between the two peoples,” it added.
The ministry noted Hsieh “enjoyed the same treatment as the heads of state, representatives and members of the royal family of other countries who have gone to Britain to mourn”.
China is sending Vice-President Wang Qishan to Monday’s state funeral in London, but some parliamentarians have raised concerns about inviting representatives from China after several British lawmakers were sanctioned by Beijing for criticising alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China denies any such abuses.
Taiwan’s government was quick to send its condolences after the queen’s death, and Taiwan Foreign Minister Joseph Wu on Thursday visited Britain’s de facto embassy in Taipei to sign its public condolence book.