News Brief
UK Signals Willingness To Fight Over Taiwan, Strengthens Military Ties with Australia Amid Rising China Tensions
China-Taiwan (Representative Image)
Britain’s Defence Secretary John Healey has signalled the UK’s readiness to engage in conflict over Taiwan if tensions escalate in the Pacific, The Telegraph reported.
Speaking alongside Australia’s deputy prime minister Richard Marles aboard the HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin, Healey emphasised the strong alliance between the UK and Australia, stating, “If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the UK are nations that will fight together".
The comments, made during joint military exercises with allies including the US, mark a bold stance on potential conflict with China, though Healey clarified the UK prefers peaceful resolutions.
The HMS Prince of Wales, docked in Darwin for the Talisman Sabre war games, is part of a nine-month Pacific deployment, showcasing the UK’s commitment to countering rising threats in the Indo-Pacific.
China’s claims over Taiwan and its military actions, including seizing contested reefs, have heightened regional tensions.
Experts warn a Taiwan invasion could spark a global conflict, given the island’s critical role in producing advanced computer chips.
The HMS Prince of Wales may transit the strait en route to Japan and South Korea, following a prior passage by HMS Spey.
The UK and Australia also signed the Geelong Treaty, reinforcing their Aukus pact commitment to nuclear-powered submarines.
While the UK maintains its policy of strategic ambiguity toward Taiwan, former Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson noted that clearer rhetoric signals consequences for aggressive actions.
The deployment reflects deepening UK-Australia ties amid growing Indo-Pacific challenges, with Healey stressing that partnerships are vital as threats increase.
