Blinken says China moving on ‘much faster timeline’ to take Taiwan back from Beijing – ‘Taiwan’s economy already the envy of the world’
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has defended her country’s democracy, saying Taiwan is “moving on a much faster timeline” to return to the motherland.
Ms Tsai made the comments at a conference of the United Nations in New York, just days after a Chinese envoy told her that Taiwan was ready to take its place as an internationally independent country.
She also said that Taipei has no intention to join any new military alliances and that Taiwanese arms manufacturers are already working with Chinese counterparts.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the U.N. General Assembly in U.N. Plaza, Ms Tsai said: “It may not be easy to join the new multipolar world, but surely Taiwan has the capacity to do what is required… We are also determined to protect and promote and respect our sovereignty.
“We are determined to maintain our identity as a democratic country. Our people who still are suffering under the rule of the dictatorship in China should be treated with the full respect and dignity they deserve.”
She added: “We want to have a bright future through the peaceful unification of China, a union of love, understanding, peace and prosperity.
“What is also very clear for the Chinese people is that the one country, two systems framework… the one China, two systems model was not created for our people.”
China has accused Taiwan of fomenting unrest among students in the wake of a brutal crackdown on the island’s democracy.
Speaking at a reception for the General Assembly’s 90th session, a Chinese envoy told Ms Tsai that the democratic island was ready to return to the motherland.
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) said the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC) “deplores and firmly opposes” the “violent protest by the Taiwanese people”.
The Chinese envoy said the two countries should “maintain peace firmly and strictly” and avoid “any act of interference”.
It was the first time that Beijing’s military has publicly denounced Taiwanese democracy.
The envoy, Lt Gen Du Ping, said the United States and the European Union should take “strong political and diplomatic measures” to resolve the situation in Taiwan.
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