Britain, like most countries, has no diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which is claimed by China, although it does have close unofficial ones. Democratically-ruled Taiwan is largely excluded from most international events and bodies over Beijing’s objections. In a statement on Sunday, Taiwan’s foreign ministry said its representative in London, Kelly Wu-Chiao Hsieh, was “specially” invited by the British government to sign the condolence book at Lancaster House, which is run by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. . 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 that Hsieh “enjoyed the same treatment as 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 MPs have raised concerns about inviting representatives from China after several British lawmakers were sanctioned by Beijing for criticizing alleged human rights abuses in Xinjiang. China denies such abuses. Taiwan’s government was quick to send its condolences following the queen’s death, and Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu visited Britain’s de facto embassy in Taipei to sign her public condolence book. Taiwan’s mission office in Britain last week posted a photo on its Facebook page of Queen Elizabeth II accepting a Taiwanese orchid named after her at the 2011 Chelsea Flower Show. Taiwan has not said whether it will be allowed to send anyone to the state funeral, which will be attended by a host of world leaders, including US President Joe Biden. Britain is inviting a representative from North Korea to attend the funeral, but Afghanistan, Syria and Venezuela will not receive an invitation, a Foreign Office source said on Wednesday. Russia, Myanmar and Belarus have also not been invited to attend.
