U.K. firm on Taiwan

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32677, 5 August 1971, Page 13

U.K. firm on Taiwan

(By

MICHAEL HOBSON,

1,.N.Z.P.A. staff correspondent)

LONDON, August 4. The decision by the United States to support the admission of Peking to the United Nations this autumn has been welcomed in London, but there is considerably less enthusiasm for the American “two - China” policy.

The British believe that this wish to have both Chinas represented in the United Nations is impractical. Speaking in the House of Commons, the Foreign Secretary (Sir Alec DouglasHome) said that there, was

only one seat for one country in the United Nations and that seat at the present time was occupied by Formosa, not Peking.

To believe that the two rival Governments would agree to two seats is wishful thinking, say the British, and the sooner the cold, hard facts—that Formosa will have to be ousted from the United Nations—are faced, the better. As for the American' idea that the seating of China could be decided by a simple majority, but the expulsion of Formosa would require a two-thirds margin, the British ask what would happen if China was voted in first and demanded the seat on the Security Council but could not have it because Formosa was still a claimant. One source close to the Foreign Office said it was felt that such a situation would present so many problems it might threaten the whole structure of the United Nations.

The British are unlikely to take any daring initiatives on the United Nations’ question but there are signs that further unilateral steps toward a closer relationship with Peking are in the offing. While the Foreign Secretary says that he has no present plans to visit China, the shadow Foreign Secretary (Mr Denis Healey) will visit Peking next April and he will undoubtedly hold a watching brief for the Government. TRADE OPPORTUNITY One condition that Peking has placed on an improve- ■ ment in the diplomatic ' climate is the closing of the • British consulate .at Taipei. This, however, should not ■ cause any great problem as . Britain’s trading and consular ■ interests with Formosa are only minimal.

By contrast the trading prospects on the mainland are something of a “holy grail” for British businessmen. Before the Second World War, China was Britain’s largest export market. In 1969, a record £s4m of British goods was bought by the Chinese. In 1970, however, this fell to just over £44m, while for the first six months of this year, the figure was just over £lom. There is little doubt, nevertheless, that the potential market is enormous and many British firms would welcome the chance to take advantage of improved access which would come with normal relations.