Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen Said War With China Was Really Not A Choice, But Promising To Increase Defense

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. (Wikimedia Commons/ wayway)

JAKARTA - Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said the war between Taiwan and China was not at all an option, but to bolster Taiwan's defenses, including with precision missiles.

In a national day address outside President Tsai's office, he said increasing intimidation and threatening peace and stability in the Strait and Taiwan region was regrettable.

China should not think there is room for compromise in Taiwanese people's commitments to democracy and freedom, he said.

"I would like to explain to Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is not at all an option for both of our parties. Only by respecting the Taiwanese people's commitments to our sovereignty, democracy and freedom, there can be a basis for continuing constructive interactions around the world," he said. October 10.

There was no immediate reaction from Beijing regarding this matter.

Tsai's speech comes less than a week before the ruling Chinese Communist Party congress opened in Beijing, where President Xi Jinping is widely expected to win a third five-year term that breaks the precedent.

An official familiar with Tsai's thoughts, speaking on condition of anonymity, told reporters the president wanted to " clearly convey" his position to the world and Beijing.

"Strengthening on the status quo of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, is Tsai's main axis of cross-platform comments this year," the official said, adding that this is the hope and responsibility of the world, both Taipei and Beijing.

Tsai said, to applaud, that her government is looking forward to the resumption of people-with-people exchanges that are healthy and regular post-pandemic across the straits, which will ease tensions.

But the broad consensus in Taiwan is, sovereignty and a free and democratic way of life must be maintained, he added.

"At this point, we have no room for compromise," he stressed.

President Tsai has made Taiwan's defense strengthening the basis of his government, to allow it to carry out more credible prevention to China, which is stepping up its own military ambitious modernization program.

According to President Tsai, Taiwan will show the world it is responsible for its own defense.

Taiwan is increasing mass production of high-performing precision missiles and naval vessels, and working to acquire highly mobile small weapons, which will ensure Taiwan is fully prepared to respond to "external military threats", it said.