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Taipei: The President of Taiwan told former US National Security Adviser John Bolton on Monday that her country is willing to deepen cooperation with the United States and “other like-minded partners” to safeguard peace, as the self-ruled island faces growing military threats from China.
president Tsai Ing Wen also expressed hope to Bolton, a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate, for more military and security exchanges and economic cooperation between the two sides, her office said in a statement.
Bolton began his week-long visit to Taiwan last Wednesday and called for deeper interaction between the national security teams of the two sides. His visit reflects the importance of island democracy as an issue in the United States Presidential election Amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Later on Monday, Tsai said at a separate event that China’s military exercises have affected stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
“But we will remain calm and firmly maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war that ended with the Communist Party taking control of the mainland. The island has never been part of the People’s Republic of China, but Beijing says it should unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.
It remains Taiwan’s closest military and political ally even though the two have no formal diplomatic relations. US law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” though it remains vague on whether US forces will be sent to help defend it.
Last Friday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that the Chinese military had launched 38 combat aircraft and other warplanes near Taiwan. It was the largest number since a large military exercise to simulate a lockdown of Taiwan in response to an April 5 meeting between Tsai and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any meetings between Taiwan officials and other governments.
president Tsai Ing Wen also expressed hope to Bolton, a likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate, for more military and security exchanges and economic cooperation between the two sides, her office said in a statement.
Bolton began his week-long visit to Taiwan last Wednesday and called for deeper interaction between the national security teams of the two sides. His visit reflects the importance of island democracy as an issue in the United States Presidential election Amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing.
Later on Monday, Tsai said at a separate event that China’s military exercises have affected stability and peace in the Indo-Pacific region.
“But we will remain calm and firmly maintain peace across the Taiwan Strait,” she said.
Taiwan and China split in 1949 after a civil war that ended with the Communist Party taking control of the mainland. The island has never been part of the People’s Republic of China, but Beijing says it should unite with the mainland, by force if necessary.
It remains Taiwan’s closest military and political ally even though the two have no formal diplomatic relations. US law requires Washington to treat all threats to the island as matters of “grave concern,” though it remains vague on whether US forces will be sent to help defend it.
Last Friday, Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said that the Chinese military had launched 38 combat aircraft and other warplanes near Taiwan. It was the largest number since a large military exercise to simulate a lockdown of Taiwan in response to an April 5 meeting between Tsai and US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy. China opposes any meetings between Taiwan officials and other governments.
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