#defence-policy

#defence-policy

Former prime minister Liz Truss has made a personal plea for Rishi Sunak to brand China as a "threat" to UK security during a visit to Taiwan.The ex-prime minister challenged Mr Sunak to deliver on pledges he made last summer to clamp down on China.Ms Truss made the speech in Taipei City on Wednesday, making her the first former prime minister to visit Taiwan since Margaret Thatcher.

Liz Truss is to warn that there cannot be meaningful deterrence without hard power, during a high-profile visit to Taiwan next week.The former prime minister, who was widely expected to move the UK Government on to a more hawkish footing when it came to dealings with China, is expected to meet Taiwanese government officials during the trip.

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said he is pretty confident his department will be given the investment boost it requires in next week's Budget to carry out army upgrades.The Cabinet minister has lobbied Chancellor Jeremy Hunt in public for extra cash for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to help deal with inflationary pressures and the costs of backing Ukraine in its battle against Russia's invading forces.

Rishi Sunak has said China poses a systemic challenge to UK values and represents the biggest state-based threat to our economic security.The Prime Minister is attending the G20 summit in Bali with fellow leaders of the world's major economies, including China's Xi Jinping.Britain will consider sending arms to help Taiwan to defend itself in the event of an attack from Beijing, Mr Sunak also said.

Former prime minister Liz Truss will visit Taiwan next week to give a speech to show solidarity with the self-governed island in the face of increasingly aggressive behaviour from China.Ms Truss is also expected to meet Taiwanese government officials during the trip.During her time as prime minister Ms Truss was widely expected to move the UK Government on to a more hawkish footing when it came to dealings with Beijing, wanting to declare China under Communist Party rule a threat to national security.

The Foreign Secretary said he broached areas of deep disagreement during a meeting with the Chinese vice-president in London.James Cleverly said he made plain the UK's position on Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Taiwan during talks on Friday with Han Zheng ahead of the coronation.The Chinese politician, who has been blamed for overseeing a crackdown on freedom in Hong Kong, was recently appointed as President Xi Jinping's deputy and is set to represent China at the royal event on Saturday.

Swiss Defence Minister Viola Amherd travelled to Brussels to discuss with NATO Secretary Jens Stoltenberg the strengthening of the relationship between Switzerland and the alliance, especially in the field of security policy, the government said.Amherd's participation in the North Atlantic Council was the first-ever by a Swiss defence minister.