ANKARA

Taiwan on Tuesday said it seeks a bilateral investment agreement with the UK and called on London to enter into negotiations on free trade.

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, in a meeting with the newly appointed British representative to Taiwan, said: “I very much look forward to Taiwan and the UK being able to commence dialogue on a free trade or bilateral investment agreement.”

"A pleasure to welcome John Dennis back to Taiwan as the new UK Representative. I'm confident that our shared democratic values will continue to drive our growing partnership in trade, investment, & education," Tsai said on Twitter.

Dennis assumed his charge as the UK representative in Taipei earlier this month, the daily Taiwan News reported.

Tsai said Taiwan has in recent years “deepened collaborations” with the UK in finance and wind power energy.

She added that the two sides can expand cooperation in education, human rights promotion, and COVID-19 vaccine development.

Dennis vowed to develop ties with Taiwan by “building on our already powerful links in trade and investment, science and innovation, climate change, education and on shared values.”

Beijing considers Taiwan -- officially known as the Republic of China -- a breakaway province, but Taipei insists on its independence since 1949, and has diplomatic relations with 16 countries and regions.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​