Taiwan President Raises Ante in Standoff With China
TAIPE (Dispatches) -- Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen accused China of "seriously challenging" peace and stability Wednesday, describing the island she leads as being on the frontline of tensions in the Pacific.
It comes as Beijing pursues a multi-pronged attack on any claims to sovereignty by self-ruled democratic Taiwan, which it sees as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai took office two years ago, as she refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China".
"As Taiwan is on the frontline of the Western Pacific, we are naturally subject to tremendous pressure," Tsai said in a televised speech to mark Taiwan's National Day.
China has recently upped military drills around the island and has made a concerted effort to poach Taiwan's dwindling number of official allies -- only 17 countries still diplomatically recognize the island after five jumped ship since Tsai took power.
Beijing has also successfully put pressure on international businesses to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites and ensured Taiwan is shut out of global forums.
Tsai pledged not to escalate tensions but also said Taiwan would seek to fortify its national security and diplomatic links, establishing its "irreplaceable strategic importance".
Worsening ties with Beijing and unpopular domestic reforms policies are putting Tsai's government under pressure ahead of major local elections next month.
Last month, the United States recalled its envoys to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by those nations to cut ties with Taipei in favor of diplomatic relations with Beijing.
While Washington formally recognizes only Beijing, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and maintains a de facto embassy on the island.
The U.S. in September approved a $330 million arms sale to the self-ruled island. China strongly objected to the United States for the deal and called for its cancellation.
On Tuesday, Tsai and Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez watched as ground and air forces conducted a drill in a further provocation of China.
Taiwan and the mainland separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that the issue of bringing Taiwan under Beijing’s control cannot be postponed indefinitely and some analysts believe he is determined to accomplish that feat during his time in office.
It comes as Beijing pursues a multi-pronged attack on any claims to sovereignty by self-ruled democratic Taiwan, which it sees as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary.
Relations between Beijing and Taipei have deteriorated since Tsai took office two years ago, as she refuses to acknowledge that Taiwan is part of "one China".
"As Taiwan is on the frontline of the Western Pacific, we are naturally subject to tremendous pressure," Tsai said in a televised speech to mark Taiwan's National Day.
China has recently upped military drills around the island and has made a concerted effort to poach Taiwan's dwindling number of official allies -- only 17 countries still diplomatically recognize the island after five jumped ship since Tsai took power.
Beijing has also successfully put pressure on international businesses to list Taiwan as part of China on their websites and ensured Taiwan is shut out of global forums.
Tsai pledged not to escalate tensions but also said Taiwan would seek to fortify its national security and diplomatic links, establishing its "irreplaceable strategic importance".
Worsening ties with Beijing and unpopular domestic reforms policies are putting Tsai's government under pressure ahead of major local elections next month.
Last month, the United States recalled its envoys to the Dominican Republic, El Salvador and Panama after decisions by those nations to cut ties with Taipei in favor of diplomatic relations with Beijing.
While Washington formally recognizes only Beijing, it remains a close Taiwanese ally and maintains a de facto embassy on the island.
The U.S. in September approved a $330 million arms sale to the self-ruled island. China strongly objected to the United States for the deal and called for its cancellation.
On Tuesday, Tsai and Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez watched as ground and air forces conducted a drill in a further provocation of China.
Taiwan and the mainland separated amid civil war in 1949. Beijing has vowed to bring the island under its control by force if deemed necessary.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has declared that the issue of bringing Taiwan under Beijing’s control cannot be postponed indefinitely and some analysts believe he is determined to accomplish that feat during his time in office.