“Taiwan’s President Vows to Maintain Peace and Stability Amid Tensions with China”

Jakarta –

President Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen vowed to maintain the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait amid high tensions with China.

Reported by the news agency ReutersSaturday (20/5/2023), Tsai said that Taiwan would not provoke and would not bow to China’s pressure.

Government China has always regarded Taiwan as its own and has threatened to force the island back under its control, by force if necessary. China has recently stepped up military and diplomatic pressure to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty since Tsai took office in 2016.

Beijing has rejected calls for talks from Tsai, seeing her as a separatist. Tsai has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.

“War is not an option. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo in a non-peaceful way,” Tsai said in a speech at the presidential office in Taipei on Saturday (20/5) marking the seventh anniversary of her rule.

“Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the world’s accord Taiwan,” added Tsai.

(it/it)