President Tsai Offers Condolences to British Gov't 總統向英政府表達哀悼 並向新王誠摯慰問

President Tsai Ing-wen has offered her condolences to the British government and royal family on behalf of Taiwan's government and its people, saying Taiwan's heart is with Great Britain. She also praised Queen Elizabeth II's contributions to peace and prosperity.

The Presidential Office issued a statement saying on behalf of the government and people of Taiwan, President Tsai Ing-wen offered her deepest condolences to the government of the United Kingdom, all the people of the Commonwealth of Nations, King Charles III and the entire British royal family. The statement also said Taiwan's heart is with the U.K. and Taiwan will never forget Queen Elizabeth's contributions to global peace and prosperity.

Joanne Ou, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson: “Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Wu also sent a message to Representative John Dennis at British Office Taipei to also express his condolences. The death of Queen Elizabeth II is not only a loss to the British government and its people. The world has lost a model leader.”

Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-reigning female monarch in world history. As she did not have any actual political power, however, she had minimal impact on foreign policy.

Chang Fu-chang, Associate European Studies Professor, Tamkang University: “She will be remembered for her stability and continuity as a virtual head of state. I don't think (her death) will have much (impact) on future bilateral relations.”

Her death came just two days after the appointment of Liz Truss to the office of prime minister. Truss is regarded as pro-Taiwan.

Marc Cheng, Director-General, European Union Centre in Taiwan: “She's made it clear she won't visit Taiwan. While she is strengthening relations with Taiwan, she's also made it clear she won't get into a conflict with China over Taiwan. Bilateral relations may therefore be at an impasse.”

Marc Cheng says the U.K. parliament passed a resolution in support of Taiwan in February and trade volume between the two countries has been on the rise. Therefore, Taiwan clearly plays a very important role in the Indo-Pacific.

英國女王伊麗莎白二世辭世，總統府表示，總統蔡英文代表政府與人民，向英國政府及大英國協人民致上深切哀悼之意，並向繼任的英國國王查爾斯三世及王室家屬致以誠摯慰問。表示台灣與英國同心，感念女王畢生為世界和平與繁榮的貢獻。

外交部發言人歐江安表示：「外交部長吳釗燮同時也致電英國駐台代表鄧元翰先生來表達同樣的慰問之意，伊麗莎白女王二世的逝世，不僅是英國政府跟人民的損失，國際社會也失去一位領袖的典範。」

伊麗莎白二世是世界史上在位最久的女性君主，是穩定英國政局和皇室不可或缺的力量，不過由於沒有實質政治影響力，在英國對外政策上的衝擊並不大。

淡江大學歐研所副教授張福昌指出：「穩定跟延續上面是值得我們去肯定她的，因為英國女王她是虛位元首，我認為對台英未來關係的發展（影響）是比較小的。」

不過由於英國新任首相特拉斯6日才剛上任，她先前曾多次公開宣示維持台海和平穩定的重要性，接下來是否維持對中強硬，台英關係如何再強化得觀察。

台灣歐盟中心執行長鄭家慶表示：「她也明確的表達她不會到訪台灣，但是同時間她也會強化跟台灣的關係，不過也不會因為台灣的關係激怒中國大陸，使得台英關係也陷入一個僵局。」

鄭家慶指出，早在2月英國國會透過辯論通過挺台動議就可以看出英國打算加強與台灣關係，加上近來經貿數字增加明顯，台灣又在印太地區扮演重要角色，台英關係未來可期。