Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen says China’s pressure on the self-governing island democracy will only increase amid a changing international situation.
Tsai is seeking a second term in January’s presidential elections and told supporters Sunday night she had overseen an upgrading in the island’s defense against China’s military threat.
Tsai said: “International political affairs are changing. The U.S.-China trade war is still going on. Protests in Hong Kong are increasingly intense.”
Taiwan President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen delivers a speech as she launches her re-election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)
She added: “Trade patterns are quickly changing. In the future, China will only put Taiwan under more pressure.”
China cut ties with Taiwan soon after Tsai’s 2016 election and has sought to isolate her government diplomatically and economically.
Supporters of Taiwan President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen cheer as Tsai launches her re-election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)
Supporters of Taiwan President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen cheer as Tsai launches her re-election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)
A hong Kong supporter of Taiwan President and Democratic Progressive Party presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen, holds a slogan reading "Thanks to President Tsai, Statement for Hong Kong", as Tsai seen in poster behind launches her re-election campaign in Taipei, Taiwan, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019. Taiwan will hold its presidential election on Jan. 11, 2020. (AP PhotoChiang Ying-ying)