In February 2025, John Dennis, the British Representative at the British Office in Taipei, will end his impactful tenure, which began in December 2020. In his farewell address, Dennis emphasized the growing strength of trade and tech partnerships between the UK and Taiwan, considering it a highlight of his service.
A significant accomplishment during his time was the signing of the UK-Taiwan Enhanced Trade Partnership Agreement in November 2023. Dennis described this accord as a crucial step forward in fostering collaboration, focusing on key areas such as digital trade, investment, and renewable energy. He expressed hope that further agreements in these crucial sectors would soon deepen the partnership even further.
Trade between the two countries witnessed impressive growth, with bilateral exchanges rising by 13.7% to reach GBP8.3 billion (approximately US$10.5 billion) in 2023. Taiwan now stands as the UK’s fifth-largest trade partner within the Asia-Pacific, while the UK ranks third for Taiwan in Europe. Dennis noted the increasing investment opportunities, with major Taiwanese companies such as MediaTek and Walsin Lihwa expanding into the UK’s infrastructure, energy, and technology markets.
Technology collaboration has become a cornerstone of the relationship, marked by the creation of dialogues on semiconductors and health. The UK-Taiwan Collaborative R&D Programme launched in 2023, now backs 18 joint research projects with bilateral funding of GBP20 million (US$25.3 million).
Taiwanese firms have also joined the UK’s SONIC Labs initiative, advancing telecom capabilities in 5G and 6G technologies. For two years, the British Office has organized a UK pavilion at SEMICON Taiwan, showcasing innovative UK semiconductor and manufacturing technologies. Dennis highlighted the booming demand for collaboration in cutting-edge areas such as AI, quantum computing, and engineering biology, presenting vast opportunities for reinforcing global leadership in these fields.
Looking to the future, Dennis praised Taiwan’s pivotal role in global supply chains and semiconductor leadership, while highlighting the UK’s dynamic innovation-driven economy and tech ecosystem. He is confident that his successor, Ruth Bradley-Jones, will continue to nurture this growing relationship, initiating exciting new chapters for UK-Taiwan ties.
Concluding his remarks, Dennis reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, stating, “This partnership thrives on shared values and mutual respect, and I am honored to have contributed to its development.”
