Former British prime minister Liz Truss, in a speech in Taipei, has stressed the importance of European nations stepping up involvement in Taiwan.
Truss is the first former British prime minister to visit Taiwan since Margaret Thatcher 27 years ago. She is known as a hardliner against China.
Truss delivered a speech on Wednesday at a think tank meeting in Taipei.
She described Taiwan as being on the front line of the global battle for freedom, and added that the future of Taiwan is important not just for its people but for the future of the world.
Truss said, "A blockade or an invasion of Taiwan would undermine freedom and democracy in Europe, just as a Russian invasion of Ukraine, a successful domination of Ukraine, would undermine freedom and democracy in the Pacific."
She stressed the need for Taiwan to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement, and to strengthen economic and security partnerships with Taiwan to help boost its defense capabilities.
Truss is scheduled to meet Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen during her stay through Saturday.