Taiwan leader: Protect regional stability amid China tension
TAIPEI, Taiwan — Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Tuesday said her government will defend the self-governing island’s freedoms and democratic system amid heightened tensions with rival China, and renewed calls for dialogue that Beijing suspended more than a year ago.
China dismissed the appeal, saying talks could only resume after Tsai endorses Beijing’s position that Taiwan is Chinese territory.
In an annual National Day address, Tsai also repeated her position that Taiwan will continue to extend “goodwill” to China, but would neither buckle under Beijing’s pressure nor pursue confrontation.
China cut off contact with Tsai’s government shortly after her inauguration last year after she declined to back the “one-China principle.” Beijing threatens to use force to seize control of the island and has steadily increased diplomatic and economic pressure on Taipei in an attempt to compel Tsai to change her stance.