Posted in: 05/20/2023 – 09:49
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen pledged Saturday, in a speech marking the seventh anniversary of her rule, to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, despite continuing tensions with China, which is intensifying military pressure on the island. “War is not an option,” Tsai said, adding that “maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus of the world and Taiwan.”
said the boss Taiwan Tsai Ing-wen said Saturday that “war is not an option,” vowing to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, as tensions remain high with China, which is ramping up military pressure on the self-ruled democratic island.
Tsai said in a speech delivered at the presidential office in Taipei on the occasion of the seventh anniversary of her assumption of power that Taiwan will not be provoked and will not succumb to Chinese pressure. “War is not an option,” said the Taiwanese president. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo by non-peaceful means… Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus of the world and Taiwan.”
Since Tsai took power in 2016, Beijing has intensified its military and diplomatic pressure to force the island to accept its sovereignty, as it considers it part of its territory and threatens to subject it to its control by force if necessary.
China has rejected Tsai’s invitations for talks. Tsai has repeatedly vowed to defend Taiwan’s freedom and democracy.
For his part, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said Friday that the leaders of the Group of Seven countries agreed to seek a peaceful solution to issues related to Taiwan.
Taiwan is preparing for important presidential elections in mid-January, and tensions with China are at the forefront of the election campaign.
France 24/Reuters
