President Tsai urges international community to stand up to China

2018/06/27

President Tsai Ing-wen said June 25 that China is a threat to global democracy and the expansion of its hegemonic influence must be minimized.
 
“This is not just Taiwan’s challenge, this is a challenge for the region and the world as a whole,” Tsai said. The international community must take collective action to protect universal values and ensure that China acts as a responsible power, she added.
 
 The president made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview with international media outlet Agence France-Presse at the Office of the President in Taipei City.
 
 In the face of increasing pressure from China, Taiwan has received growing support from the global community, Tsai said. A total 24 diplomatic allies and like-minded countries spoke up for Taiwan at the 71st World Health Assembly May 21-26 in Geneva over the nation’s exclusion from the meeting due to obstruction from Beijing, she added.
 
 According to the president, Taiwan is strengthening trade and investment ties with long-standing economic partners in Europe as well as Japan and the U.S. The nation is also expanding exchanges across the board with major emerging markets under the New Southbound Policy, she said.
 
 A key component of the government’s national development strategy, the NSP seeks to deepen agricultural, business, cultural, education, tourism and trade links with the 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nations member states, six South Asian countries, Australia and New Zealand.
 
 Going forward, Tsai said that she is willing to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping provided that this takes place on the basis of equality, respect and without political preconditions.
 
 Dialogue and communication are central to resolving issues between the two sides, the president said, adding that China has an obligation to sit down and talk with Taiwan. “I would like for Chairman Xi to get a better understanding of the development of Taiwan’s economy and our society here so that when he makes decisions, he won’t misinterpret things or make misjudgments.”

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/news.php?unit=2&post=136808)