TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen thanked democratic nations for his or her assist of the island in her Lunar New Yr message on Sunday and pledged to “stride out” into the world, sounding a defiant observe within the face of unrelenting Chinese language stress.
China, which claims the democratically-ruled island as its personal territory, has elevated navy exercise round Taiwan over the previous two years and stepped up efforts to restrict its worldwide position, lambasting those that have sought to assist Taipei or strengthen ties with it.
In a brief pre-recorded video message a day earlier than the eve of Lunar New Yr on Monday, the formal begin of crucial vacation within the Chinese language-speaking world, Tsai expressed appreciation for rising worldwide assist for Taiwan.
“I need to particularly thank all democratic companions for his or her assist to Taiwan over the previous 12 months,” she stated. “We’ll proceed to deepen exchanges with all nations and stride out into the world.”
Taiwan has been heartened by assist not solely from the US, historically its most necessary backer, but in addition leaders and politicians in Japan, Europe and by the G7 group of industrialised nations, all of which have angered Beijing.
Tsai neither straight talked about China nor straight provided it new 12 months greetings, merely extending greatest needs to “good pals” around the globe celebrating the pageant, which can be noticed in nations similar to Vietnam and South Korea.
Final 12 months Tsai wished China a cheerful Lunar New Yr, however stated she wouldn’t yield to Chinese language stress and reiterated a name for dialogue to renew with Beijing, which China rejected.
(Reporting by Ben Blanchard; Modifying by Clarence Fernandez)
Supply: KFGO
