President Tsai called on actions against China’s aggression—AFP interview

Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen was interviewed by AFP at Presidential Building on June 24, 2018.  In a lengthy exclusive interview, Tsai commented on several key issues regarding Taiwan-China relations.  Tsai called on the international community to “constrain” China by standing up for freedoms, casting China as a global threat to democracy.  Tsai said “This is not just Taiwan’s challenge, it is a challenge for the region and the world as a whole, because today it’s Taiwan, but tomorrow it may be any other country that will have to face the expansion of China’s influence”.   Tsai urged other nations to unite with Taiwan in defending against China’s expansionist aims and to protect shared liberal values.   During the entire interview, President Tsai used strong words to remind other countries that China is coming, and the only way to meet China’s aggression is to unite with other friendly neighboring countries.  China’s aggression has already met US’ challenge with numerous economic and military actions.  US launched “Trade war with China”.  It is a clear signal that US fed up with China and is no longer tolerate China’s expansionist.   Regarding a possible meeting with China’s President Xi jinping, Tsai said “She would meet XI on an equal footing and with no political pre-conditions”.  Even though Beijing insists Tsai must agree that Taiwan is part of “one China“ in order for any meeting to take place, President Tsai said that the recent summit between US President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un had provided a lot to think about.  Tsai said Taiwan had seen growing support from the United States when Congress recently passed bills paving the way for higher level official visits, and recommending greater US-Taiwan military exchanges.  Tsai attended a form titled “Global Solidarity of Democracy in Taiwan” hoisted by the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy the next day.   Tsai warned that historical trends do not always favor the forward march of democracy.  It can also regress.  Tsai cited a report from Freedom House that the world faced consecutive year of decline in global freedom.