In response to Chinese President Xi Jinping‘s New Year’s Eve address, where he stated that “reunification” with Taiwan is inevitable, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen emphasized that the island’s relations with China should be decided by the will of the people. President Tsai asserted that the most important principle guiding Taiwan’s course on relations with China is democracy.
President Xi’s comments marked a stronger tone compared to the previous year, where he mentioned that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are “members of one and the same family.” China has been increasing military pressure to assert its sovereignty claims over Taiwan, which is preparing for presidential and parliamentary elections on January 13.
During a New Year’s press conference in Taipei, President Tsai highlighted the democratic nature of Taiwan and stressed that decisions regarding the island’s relationship with China should be made based on the joint will of the Taiwanese people. She urged China to respect the outcome of Taiwan’s election, emphasizing the responsibility of both sides to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.
China has framed the election as a choice between war and peace and has rejected offers for talks by President Tsai, accusing her of promoting separatism. Tsai, in turn, has prioritized strengthening and modernizing Taiwan’s defenses, including an indigenous submarine program. She emphasized that Taiwan desires peace but with respect.
President Tsai also expressed concerns about potential interference by China in the election, including the use of fake news, military pressure, or trade pressure. China has particularly criticized Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Party, labeling him a dangerous separatist. Both major Taiwanese parties, the Democratic Party and the Kuomintang, maintain that the island’s people should decide their future.
As the election approaches, tensions between China and Taiwan continue to play a significant role in regional dynamics, with the island emphasizing its commitment to democracy and self-determination. The international community closely watches developments in the Taiwan Strait, recognizing its potential impact on broader geopolitical relations in the region.
Read Now:All Alarming Surge in Extreme Weather Events India Faces: Almost 3,000 Dead in 2023
