On 8 March, the TRO hosted a lunch time discussion titled “The South China Sea and the Strategy of Chinese Expansion”, featuring South China Sea experts Dr Bill Hayton, BBC journalist and Associate Fellow for the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, and Mr Humphrey Hawksley, author and former BBC foreign correspondent. Dr Hayton focused on the challenges surrounding the South China Sea territorial disputes, pointing out that China’s actions in the region go against the Rules Based International Order. Mr Hawksley discussed China’s expansionist policy in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan, as well as highlighted Taiwan’s democracy as a potential model in the region: “Taiwan’s democracy and the success of it are clearly visible from the shores of Xiamen.” Mr Hawksley emphasised that the West should stand shoulder-to-shoulder in supporting Taiwan.
Admiral Yeong-Kang Chen, Taiwan’s former Deputy Minister of Defence, served as commenter during the discussion. Attendees included representatives from the diplomatic corps in London, experts and researchers from think tanks, former British government officials and members of the UK press.
