John Dennis, Representative at the British Office in Taipei, will conclude his tenure in February 2025 after serving since December 2020. During his farewell address, Dennis highlighted the strengthening of trade and technological partnerships between the UK and Taiwan as the hallmark of his time in office.
A key milestone was the signing of the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership Arrangement in November 2023, which he described as a pivotal achievement in fostering bilateral collaboration.
“The Enhanced Trade Partnership marks a significant step forward in our collaboration,” Dennis said, emphasizing its focus on critical areas including digital trade, investment, and renewable energy. He expressed optimism about the signing of additional priority pillars in the coming months, which aim to deepen ties in strategically important sectors.
Strong trade growth drives partnership
UK-Taiwan bilateral trade in goods and services grew by 13.7%, reaching GBP8.3 billion (approx. US$10.5 billion) in 2023. Taiwan is now the UK’s fifth-largest trade partner in the Asia-Pacific region, while the UK ranks as Taiwan’s third-largest trade partner in Europe.
Dennis noted the increasing investment opportunities between the two sides, citing major Taiwanese companies such as MediaTek and Walsin Lihwa expanding their presence in the UK’s infrastructure, energy, and technology sectors in recent years.
Technology cooperation expands
Dennis underscored the growing importance of science and technology in the bilateral relationship, calling it a “cornerstone” of cooperation. Key milestones include the establishment of two new sector-specific dialogues on semiconductors and health, as well as the successful launch of the UK-Taiwan Collaborative R&D Programme in 2023. The program now supports 18 joint research projects with GBP20 million (US$25.3 million) in bilateral funding.
Taiwanese companies have also joined the UK’s SONIC Labs program to test and develop next-generation telecom systems, including 5G and future 6G technologies. Additionally, the British Office hosted a UK pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan for two consecutive years, showcasing innovative UK companies in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing.
“We are seeing incredible demand for collaboration, particularly in emerging technologies such as AI, quantum computing, and engineering biology,” Dennis remarked. “These fields present immense opportunities for both the UK and Taiwan to further solidify their global leadership.”
Future outlook
Reflecting on his tenure, Dennis praised Taiwan’s contributions to global supply chains and its leadership in semiconductors, while highlighting the UK’s innovation-driven economy and robust tech ecosystem. He expressed confidence that his successor, Ruth Bradley-Jones, would continue to build on this foundation, fostering “exciting new chapters” for UK-Taiwan relations.
Dennis concluded by reaffirming the UK’s commitment to fostering peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, aligning with broader Indo-Pacific strategies. “This is a partnership built on shared values and mutual respect, and I am proud to have played a role in its growth,” he said.
Credit: The British Office
