By J. R. Wu and Jess Macy Yu TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s government, worried about being used as a pawn by China and the United States, said on Monday the self-ruled island must protect its own interests as concerns in Taipei…
By J. R. Wu and Jess Macy Yu
TAIPEI (Reuters) – Taiwan’s government, worried about being used as a pawn by China and the United States, said on Monday the self-ruled island must protect its own interests as concerns in Taipei rise ahead of an expected meeting of U. S and Chinese leaders.
China has never renounced the use of force to take back what it deems a wayward province and has been pressuring Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who leads an independence-leaning ruling party, to concede Taiwan is a part of China.
The United States is Taiwan’s only major political ally and sole arms supplier, and weapons sales to Taiwan have repeatedly upset Beijing.
« We call on the United States and China, when they improve relations, to not use Taiwan in their own interest or as a chess piece, » Catherine Chang, Taiwan’s minister in charge of China affairs, the Mainland Affairs Council, told reporters.
Chang urged Beijing to communicate with Taipei « in order to maintain stability and peace in the Asia Pacific region. »
The comments come after U. S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told Chinese President Xi Jinping on Sunday in Beijing that U. S. President Donald Trump anticipates a meeting « soon. »
At issue for Taipei is whether a Trump-Xi meeting will harm Taipei’s interests as Washington begins considering a big, new arms package for Taiwan, a move sure to anger China.
