Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, who met with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, warned that “democracy is under threat”.
China’s Foreign Ministry has condemned the meeting between US House of Representatives Speaker Kevin McCarthy and Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen. Beijing vowed to respond with “firm and effective measures” to maintain its sovereignty.
“The US colluded with Taiwanese authorities and colluded with the efforts of separatists who want ‘Taiwan independence,'” Reuters quoted the ministry as saying.
Likewise, China’s Defense Ministry, in a statement cited by Reuters, assured that the People’s Liberation Army would “carry out its mission and remain on high alert.” “The United States must honor its commitment to China on the Taiwan issue,” the Defense Department said.
“Democracy is under threat,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen warned during her meeting with Kevin McCarthy in California, which marked a show of solidarity in defiance of China’s threats. “It is no secret that we have worked so hard to build the peace and democracy that we maintain and face unprecedented challenges,” Tsai said. “Once again, we find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat, and the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be underestimated.”
Taiwan’s president also praised the “strong and unique partnership” between the island and the United States. “When we are together we are stronger.”
For his part, McCarthy assured Tsai that a belief in democracy and freedom forms the “foundation” of a lasting relationship. “The friendship between the people of Taiwan and the United States is of profound importance to the free world and is critical to maintaining economic freedom, peace and regional stability,” he underlined. “We will honor our commitments and reiterate our commitment to the values that unite all Americans.”
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