Thus, she responded to the statement as Chinese leader Xi Jinping that “reunification” with the island is inevitable.
China is stepping up military pressure to assert its claims to a democratically governed Taiwan, where presidential and parliamentary elections will be held on January 13.
Xi Jinping’s remarks in his New Year’s address were sharper than last year, when he said only that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait were “members of the same family.”
Asked about Xi Jinping’s speech, Tsai said democracy was the most important principle of how to deal with China.
“The decision requires the joint will of the people of Taiwan. After all, we are a democratic country,” she said.
China should respect the results of Taiwan’s elections, and both sides have a responsibility to maintain peace and stability across the strait, Tsai added.
China has framed the election as a choice between war and peace and has rejected Tsai’s numerous offers for negotiations.
Tsai has made strengthening and modernizing Taiwan’s defenses a priority, including advancing the submarine program.
“Every house has locks, and this is not done in order to provoke neighbors, but in order to ensure greater security for ourselves. The same is with the doors to the country. The people of Taiwan want peace, but we want peace with dignity,” – she said.
Pressure on Taiwan
Taiwan’s government has repeatedly warned that China is trying to interfere in the election using fake news or military or trade pressure, and Tsai said she hopes people will be aware of this.
After accusing Taiwan of erecting trade barriers and ending some tariff cuts for the island, China last week threatened further economic measures.
Tsai said Taiwanese companies should take a global view and diversify their activities.
“This is the right path, not a return to the path of relying on China, especially since there is unpredictable risk in China’s unstable market. We have always welcomed healthy and orderly interaction across the strait, but trade and economic exchange cannot become a political tool,” she said she.
China has taken particular issue with current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the ruling Democratic Party of Taiwan’s (DPT) presidential candidate who is leading by a wide margin in opinion polls, saying he is also a dangerous separatist.
Both the DPT and Taiwan’s largest opposition party, the Kuomintang, say only the island’s residents can decide their future.
Tsai cannot run again after serving two terms in office. She will step down in May when the next president is sworn in.
Previously, Taiwan tightened sanctions against Russia to stop weapons production. Ukraine’s plight has drawn widespread public sympathy in Taiwan due to what many see as parallels between what is happening in the European country and what could happen if China ever used force to bring Chinese control over the island it calls it his own territory.
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2024-01-01 12:40:05
