Taiwan President: "Unlike China’s 'Rising Tensions,' Taiwan Responds Calmly"

Tsai Ing-wen Speaks at Hudson Institute Event
"The Best Way to Avoid War Is to Be Prepared"

During her visit to the United States, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said on the 30th (local time), "Unlike China, which escalates tensions, Taiwan always responds cautiously and calmly."

According to AP News and others, the Taiwanese Presidential Office disclosed that President Tsai made these remarks at an event hosted by the conservative think tank Hudson Institute.

At the event, President Tsai said, "The people of Taiwan yearn for peace, but history teaches us that the best way to avoid war is to strengthen ourselves." She continued, "Taiwan is still excluded from the operations of the United Nations and related international organizations," adding, "This unfair and unjust situation cannot continue any longer. Support from other democratic countries is needed for Taiwan to participate in international organizations."

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen visiting New York, USA
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

President Tsai also emphasized, "The unstable Taiwan Strait poses serious economic and security risks to the entire world, so maintaining peace and stability in this region is especially important from the standpoint of all countries." She stated, "No country can independently resist authoritarianism," and stressed, "Taiwan will continue to cooperate with the United States and countries with similar ideologies to prove that democracy can bear fruit."

At this event, Taiwan's Central News Agency reported that President Tsai received the Global Leadership Award from the Hudson Institute for her contributions to improving Taiwan-U.S. relations.

Regarding President Tsai's visit to the United States, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs strongly warned at a regular briefing on the 31st, saying, "No matter what the Taiwan authorities say or do, the fact that Taiwan is part of China does not change," and "No one or any force can prevent the realization of China's (Taiwan) reunification."

Earlier, President Tsai departed on the 29th for a 9-night, 10-day trip, transiting through New York and Los Angeles in the United States to visit Guatemala and Belize, Central American countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan.

Bloomberg News reported, "The Joe Biden U.S. administration will make unprecedented efforts to downplay the importance of President Tsai's visit to the United States in order to prevent further deterioration of already severely strained relations with China."