• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
  • Volunteer
    • Internship with The Online Citizen
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Taiwan ‘on front lines of freedom’ after HK crackdown: president

by The Online Citizen
27/08/2020
in Asia
Reading Time: 2 mins read
0

Source: President Tsai Ing-wen Facebook page.

by Amber Wang

Taiwan stands on the front lines of freedom and democracy, President Tsai Ing-wen said Thursday, as Beijing clamps down on Hong Kong and ramps up military activities in the region.

In a video speech to an Australian think tank, Tsai called for like-minded countries to protect Taiwan, pitching the self-ruled democracy as a dependable ally to western governments.

China views Taiwan as its own territory — vowing to one day seize it by force if needed — and Beijing’s sweeping national security law for Hong Kong as well as a crackdown on democracy supporters has added to the island’s alarm.

“After Hong Kong, Taiwan stands increasingly on the front lines of freedom and democracy,” Tsai told the Australian Strategic Policy Institute.

“We certainly hope that, like-minded countries will continue to work together to ensure Taiwan’s security, which is in the interest of peace and stability in the region.”

Beijing has stepped up diplomatic, military and economic pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power in 2016, as she refuses to acknowledge their idea that the island is part of “one China”.

Tsai regards Taiwan as a de facto sovereign nation but has resisted any formal declaration of independence, a move Beijing has long warned could spark war.

In her speech, she urged the international community to resolve potential conflict hotspots in the East and South China Sea regions.

This week, Beijing fired missiles into the disputed South China Sea which is also claimed by Taiwan and a string of other countries.

Tsai also pledged to build on ties with western nations.

“We will continue to seek a stronger security partnership with the United States and other like-minded countries in the region, built on our shared values and common interests,” she said.

Under US President Donald Trump Washington’s ties with Taipei have increased as he jostles with China over a host of issues.

Earlier this month, a delegation led by US health chief Alex Azar made the highest-level visit to Taiwan since 1979, the year Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing.

China bristles at any moves by foreign governments to recognise or conduct official exchanges with Taipei. It warned Washington not to “play with fire” during Azar’s visit.

Beijing has cut off official contact with Taiwan under Tsai, who won re-election in a January landslide.

Tsai reiterated her offer of talks with China “as soon as they contribute to a beneficial relationship” while stressing that only Taiwanese people can choose the island’s future.

“Taiwan is Taiwan, our existence simply cannot be questioned. We have our own government, we have free elections and our people can choose their own leaders… none of which have ever been under Beijing’s jurisdiction,” she said.

“The future of Taiwan is to be decided by the people of Taiwan. This is what we have been insisting.”

– AFP

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Source: AFP
Tags: AFP
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Recent Posts

  • Allow Myanmar’s “shadow” govt to attend special ASEAN Summit, says M Ravi in petition
  • Possible Cabinet reshuffle for Indonesia in light of Jokowi’s plans to form investment affairs-related ministry
  • Rupee tumbles as COVID-19 surges threatening Singapore’s investment in India
  • Week-long lockdown in New Delhi as virus cases soar
  • 20 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; 1 case in the community
  • DPM Heng Swee Keat asks for feedback on making Changi Point more “vibrant”; netizens prefer it to be untouched
  • Japan urges release of journalist detained in Myanmar
  • US hits vaccine milestone as New Zealand, Australia open travel bubble

Trending posts

Of late, the language of our current leadership has been divisive; almost everything sounds like there’s a hidden agenda

Expat returns from India and tested positive for COVID-19 after serving 21 days of SHN

Of late, the language of our current leadership has been divisive; almost everything sounds like there’s a hidden agenda

Only 1 in 5 surveyed confident of 4G leaders, Blackdot Research study finds

If we can deal with the ironies of our own making, Singapore can be so much better

Rupee tumbles as COVID-19 surges threatening Singapore’s investment in India

DPM Heng Swee Keat asks for feedback on making Changi Point more “vibrant”; netizens prefer it to be untouched

WP MP Gerald Giam’s intervention helped solve traffic congestion issue at Hougang Capeview

Public Prosecutors have nothing to fear if they do their job, says Justice Chan Seng Onn as Parti Liyani becomes first to seek compensation against AGC for “frivolous and vexatious” prosecution

39 new cases of COVID-19 infection in S’pore; 4 cases in the community

Load More
August 2020
MTWTFSS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31 
« Jul   Sep »
  • About Us
  • Volunteer
  • Donation
  • Subscription
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz
0
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x
| Reply