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TAIPEI: Taiwan is ready for “meaningful” talks with China as peers as long as they are willing to put the confrontation aside, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, offering another olive branch to Beijing in her speech of New Year.
Democratic Taiwan, claimed by China as its sovereign territory, has come under increasing pressure from Beijing, which has intensified military activity near the island.
China says it is responding to “collusion” between Washington and Taipei, angered by growing US support for the autonomous island. Beijing sees this as a precursor to Taiwan’s formal declaration of independence, a red line for China.
Speaking in the presidential office, Tsai said that in the past year, Chinese military activity near Taiwan has threatened peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I want to reiterate that when it comes to cross-strait relations we will not rush forward and stick to our principles,” Tsai said.
“As long as the Beijing authorities are determined to defuse antagonism and improve cross-strait relations, in accordance with the principles of reciprocity and dignity, we are ready to jointly promote a meaningful dialogue,” he added, echoing his comments. in October in his national day address.
China, which disrupted a mechanism of formal talks in 2016 after it first won office, has repeatedly rejected Tsai’s advances, saying it has to accept that Taiwan is part of China first, something Tsai has refused to do. .
Tsai expressed hope that once the Covid-19 epidemic is under control, “normal and orderly exchanges can resume to increase understanding and reduce misunderstandings” between people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
There was no immediate response from China. President Xi Jinping did not mention Taiwan in his New Year’s speech on Thursday night.
Turning to English, Tsai said she was deeply grateful for the continued support of the international community for Taiwan.
“Our democracy is stronger thanks to your support.”
