TAIPEI (TAIWAN) – Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen said on Saturday that the country wishes to have “meaningful dialogue” with China on an equal basis. She is extending an olive branch at a time when military tension with Beijing is intensifying.
China has stepped up its air force activity near the island during the past few weeks and its fighters crossed the Taiwan Strait’s sensitive mid line, which is the de-facto buffer zone.
Beijing says it is reacting to the increasing collusion between Washington and Taipei and it is miffed with the growing US support for the self-governed island. China considers to be a precursor to Taiwan declaring formal independence.
During her speech at the National Day celebrations, Tsai said the situation in the strait was “quite tense.” This, along with disputes in the South China Sea, the Sino-Indian border conflict and Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong reveal that democracy and peace in the region are facing major challenges, she said.
She said that regional tension can be brought down only if China pays heed to the voice of Taiwan and facilitates reconciliation and peaceful dialogue.
“As long as the Beijing authorities are willing to resolve antagonisms and improve cross-strait relations, while parity and dignity are maintained, we are willing to work together to facilitate meaningful dialogue,” Tsai said.
There was no reaction from Beijing which cut off formal talks with the island when Tsai came to power in 2016.
The Taiwanese leader she was committed to ensuring there was stability in the strait, but that was the shared responsibility of both Taipei and Beijing.
Tsai also indicated that fortifying the armed forces was still top priority and vowed to push ahead with it.
“Our commitment to our sovereignty and democratic values will not change, but we will also maintain strategic flexibility and be responsive to changes,” she said.
Washington has been pressuring Taipei to modernise its armed forces so that they can become a “porcupine” making it hard for Beijing to attack. Like most nations, the US has no formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan.