China’s military threats against Taiwan will only increase support for the island from the United States and other democracies, the Foreign Ministry said after Chinese forces held military exercises nearby while US senators visited Taipei.
Beijing blamed US lawmakers, which included Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez, for heightening tensions with his “provocative” trip. China claims that democratically governed Taiwan is part of its own territory.
In a statement on Friday, Taiwan’s Foreign Ministry condemned China’s “ridiculous” reaction to the visit.
“The threat of force by the Chinese Communist Party’s totalitarian government against Taiwan will only strengthen the will of the Taiwanese people to defend freedom and democracy, and will also attract the support of the United States and even more democratic partners to Taiwan,” the document states. .
Taiwan will continue to deepen cooperation with the US and other like-minded countries to defend the free and open Indo-Pacific region and prevent China’s “continuous expansion”, the ministry said.
Senator Ben Sasse, one of six US lawmakers who visited the island and met with President Tsai Ing-wen, said in a statement that China cannot intimidate the United States or its elected officials.
“The American people have no love for tyrants and instead instinctively support the freedom-loving people of Taiwan,” he said.
Taiwan was encouraged by the US support offered by the Biden administration, which has repeatedly spoken of its “solid” commitment to the territory. Although the United States does not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, it is the island’s most important international supporter and arms supplier.
Taiwan’s government says only the island’s 23 million people can decide its future.
In a pre-recorded video message to a forum organized by Taiwan independence groups on Saturday, Tsai said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine showed the threat democracies face from authoritarianism.
“Taiwan’s position is to defend sovereignty, defend democracy, support like-minded countries, help each other and contribute our strength,” she said.
Source: CNN Brasil
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