As tensions between China and Taiwan reach a 40 year high, Taipei is now seeking international support, following incursions made by Beijing
Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says the nation will ensure regional peace and stability going forward, seeking to work with international partners such as France and Australia.
The President held conversations with other like-minded democracies on Thursday, telling senior French and Australian dignitaries that international support would be requested following a dramatic spike in tensions with China.
The trips by four French senators and former Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott come after four straight days of intense Chinese air force incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone.
Those incursions have been met with concern by Washington and its allies
Democratically ruled Taiwan has sought support from other democracies, especially the United States and it allies, amid the growing military and political pressure from China, who continues to claim Taiwan as its own territory.
The Taiwan president thanked her French international counterparts for their concern.
“We will continue to fulfil our responsibilities as members of the international community to ensure peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. We also hope to make more contributions to the world along with France,”
The PM said
Tsai gave a similar message in later remarks to Australia’s former leader Tony Abbott, who says he was currently in Taiwan to help end its international isolation, praising its democracy and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Of course not everyone and not everywhere is pleased at Taiwan’s progress, and I do note that Taiwan is challenged on an almost daily basis by its giant neighbour,”
Abbott said.
In March, the Chinese embassy in Paris warned against lawmakers meeting Taiwanese officials, prompting a rebuff from the French foreign ministry, which said French senators are free to meet whomever they wish when they travel.
Neither France nor Australia have formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, like most countries
On Wednesday, US President Joe Biden confirmed he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping have agreed to abide by the “Taiwan agreement”
The President of the United States appeared to be referring to America’s longstanding “one China” policy, where it recognises China rather than Taiwan.
But – the agreement further allows the United States to maintain a “robust unofficial” relationship with Tawian.
Beijing has sent “record numbers” of military jets into Taiwan’s air defence zone for four consecutive days.
