Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen boarded a naval warship on Tuesday for only the second time in her six years in office. She lauded the military's determination to defend the island while overseeing its largest annual naval and air exercises, amid rising military pressure from China.

Taiwan president boards navy destroyer to oversee drills amid China tensions

Responding to China, the Taiwan president made a fierce national day speech, saying the country would keep bolstering its defenses to ensure that nobody forces them to take the path that China has laid down.

Taiwan: President Tsai Ing-Wen, makes a fierce national day speech

The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles&nbsp;and ground troops.

It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness. This year it serves a special purpose as it is aimed at demonstrating Taiwan's ability to repel any Chinese invasion.

On display were Taiwan's fearsome Thunderbolt-2000 missiles, the F-16 jets dispensing flares and military tanks stationed on the beach capable of hitting targets far into the sea, also were on dispaly the fierce predators in the form of assault helicopters dropping missiles with soldiers in attack mode moving amid clouds of smoke together they bombarded the Jianan beach to deter a simulated invading force.

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Overseeing the exercise was President Tsai Ing-wen wearing a green military uniform complete with a helmet.

Tsai Ing-wen sent out a message to mainland China: "The annual Han Kuang exercise is an important event for our military. Not only does it show the progress of our military strength, it also lets the international community see our resolve in protecting our country."

The message was loud and clear. Taiwan may be outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army but its determination to protect itself is much stronger.

The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles and ground troops. It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness.

The biggest annual live-fire exercise in Taiwan showcased fighter jets, assault helicopters, armored vehicles and ground troops. It is a five-day drill to test Taiwan's military preparedness. This year it serves a special purpose as it is aimed at demonstrating Taiwan's ability to repel any Chinese invasion. On display were Taiwan's fearsome Thunderbolt-2000 missiles, the F-16 jets dispensing flares and military tanks stationed on the beach capable of hitting targets far into the sea, also were on dispaly the fierce predators in the form of assault helicopters dropping missiles with soldiers in attack mode moving amid clouds of smoke together they bombarded the Jianan beach to deter a simulated invading force. Overseeing the exercise was President Tsai Ing-wen wearing a green military uniform complete with a helmet. Tsai Ing-wen sent out a message to mainland China: "The annual Han Kuang exercise is an important event for our military. Not only does it show the progress of our military strength, it also lets the international community see our resolve in protecting our country." The message was loud and clear. Taiwan may be outnumbered and outgunned by China's enormous People's Liberation Army but its determination to protect itself is much stronger.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen takes aim at China with military exercise

Two Taiwanese artists divided by age, geography and art forms, depict the drama in the self-ruled island's political scene ahead of a heated presidential election.

Different strokes, same election: Taiwan artists draw presidential candidates in contrasting medium

Taiwan “urgently” needs to pass a planned anti-infiltration law to face threats from <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinese-rumours-and-cyber-armies-taiwan-fights-election-fake-news-268872">China to penetrate</a> the island, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-aircraft-carrier-sails-through-taiwan-strait-again-270359">denouncing China’s opposition</a> to it as illogical and hypocritical.&nbsp;

The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process, through illicit funding of politicians and the media and other underhand methods.

China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing’s control by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name.

Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has begun a renewed push for the legislation, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 11. The bill is due for debate in parliament again on Tuesday, when it may pass into law.

In a televised policy address - on which formal debate is set for Sunday - Tsai said the bill was about a threat from China that is not as easy to see as the likes of the Chinese aircraft carrier which sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday.

“I think that certainly there is an urgency in Taiwan society for the anti-infiltration law,” Tsai said. “I hope that we can as soon as possible examine it.”

Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, has condemned the proposed legislation as a “political tool” of Tsai and her DPP to gain votes while trying to paint them as Chinese Communist Party agents.

They also say the bill will only criminalize normal exchanges with China, something Tsai and the DPP have denied.

China’s policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated its opposition to the bill this week too, saying the DPP was trying to “blatantly reverse over” democracy and increase enmity.

Tsai said it was totally hypocritical of an autocratic China that lacks democracy, human rights or freedom of speech to use the language of democracy to criticize the bill.

“China has no democracy and yet it is criticizing Taiwan for reversing over democracy,” she said. “China has no democratic elections and interferes in Taiwan’s democratic elections the whole day long. This is an absurd and laughable position.”

China has denied seeking to interfere in Taiwan’s elections.

Tsai’s main opponent, the Kuomintang’s Han Kuo-yu, did not directly mention the bill, but again slammed senior DPP politicians for previous visits they have made to China. Han went to China earlier this year and met senior officials.

“Your exchanges are just exchanges, but our contacts are selling out Taiwan?” Han said, holding up a picture of DPP officials meeting with Chinese counterparts.

Taiwan “urgently” needs to pass a planned anti-infiltration law to face threats from China to penetrate the island, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, denouncing China’s opposition to it as illogical and hypocritical.

Taiwan “urgently” needs to pass a planned anti-infiltration law to face threats from China to penetrate the island, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Friday, denouncing China’s opposition to it as illogical and hypocritical. The legislation is part of a years-long effort to combat what many in Taiwan see as Chinese efforts to influence politics and the democratic process, through illicit funding of politicians and the media and other underhand methods. China claims Taiwan as its territory, to be brought under Beijing’s control by force if necessary. Taiwan says it is an independent country called the Republic of China, its official name. Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has begun a renewed push for the legislation, ahead of presidential and parliamentary elections on Jan. 11. The bill is due for debate in parliament again on Tuesday, when it may pass into law. In a televised policy address - on which formal debate is set for Sunday - Tsai said the bill was about a threat from China that is not as easy to see as the likes of the Chinese aircraft carrier which sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday. “I think that certainly there is an urgency in Taiwan society for the anti-infiltration law,” Tsai said. “I hope that we can as soon as possible examine it.” Taiwan’s main opposition party, the Kuomintang, which favours close ties with China, has condemned the proposed legislation as a “political tool” of Tsai and her DPP to gain votes while trying to paint them as Chinese Communist Party agents. They also say the bill will only criminalize normal exchanges with China, something Tsai and the DPP have denied. China’s policy-making Taiwan Affairs Office reiterated its opposition to the bill this week too, saying the DPP was trying to “blatantly reverse over” democracy and increase enmity. Tsai said it was totally hypocritical of an autocratic China that lacks democracy, human rights or freedom of speech to use the language of democracy to criticize the bill. “China has no democracy and yet it is criticizing Taiwan for reversing over democracy,” she said. “China has no democratic elections and interferes in Taiwan’s democratic elections the whole day long. This is an absurd and laughable position.” China has denied seeking to interfere in Taiwan’s elections. Tsai’s main opponent, the Kuomintang’s Han Kuo-yu, did not directly mention the bill, but again slammed senior DPP politicians for previous visits they have made to China. Han went to China earlier this year and met senior officials. “Your exchanges are just exchanges, but our contacts are selling out Taiwan?” Han said, holding up a picture of DPP officials meeting with Chinese counterparts.

Taiwan has 'urgent' need for infiltration law in face of China: President Tsai Ing-wen

Taiwan's airforce held exercises on Tuesday (May 28) as part of its week-long annual drills in the western coastal city of Changhua. The drills, which included fighter jet landings and helicopter patrol exercises, were attended by President Tsai Ing-wen.

Taiwan holds annual military exercises

Same-sex couples tied the knot in emotional scenes in Taiwan on Friday (May 24), the first legal marriages in Asia hailed by activists as a social revolution for the region.

Taiwan celebrates Asia's first same-sex marriages as couples tie knot

Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of &quot;one China&quot;, in his first Sunday show interview as president-elect, news agency Reuters reports.

Trump&rsquo;s comments on &ldquo;Fox News Sunday&rdquo; came after his phone call with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan on December 2 prompted a diplomatic protest from China.

&quot;I fully understand the &#39;one China&#39; policy, but I don&#39;t know why we have to be bound by a &#39;one China&#39; policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade,&quot; Trump told Fox, Reuters reports.

&quot;I don&#39;t want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. &nbsp;I didn&#39;t make the call, and it was a call, very short call saying congratulations, sir, on the victory. It was a very nice call. Short,&quot; Trump added.

Trump&#39;s call with President Tsai Ing-wen was the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of &quot;one China&quot;, according to Reuters.

Trump has accused China of manipulating the value of its currency in order to give its products price advantages in the American market.

&quot;We&#39;re being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don&#39;t tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn&#39;t be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea,&quot; Reuters quoted him as saying.

&quot;You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they&#39;re not helping us at all.&quot;

(WION) 
&nbsp;

Trump?s comments on 'Fox News Sunday' came after his phone call with Taiwan's president prompted a diplomatic protest from China

Donald Trump said the United States did not necessarily have to stick to its long-standing position that Taiwan is part of "one China", in his first Sunday show interview as president-elect, news agency Reuters reports. Trump’s comments on “Fox News Sunday” came after his phone call with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan on December 2 prompted a diplomatic protest from China. "I fully understand the 'one China' policy, but I don't know why we have to be bound by a 'one China' policy unless we make a deal with China having to do with other things, including trade," Trump told Fox, Reuters reports. "I don't want China dictating to me and this was a call put into me. I didn't make the call, and it was a call, very short call saying congratulations, sir, on the victory. It was a very nice call. Short," Trump added. Trump's call with President Tsai Ing-wen was the first such contact with Taiwan by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China", according to Reuters. Trump has accused China of manipulating the value of its currency in order to give its products price advantages in the American market. "We're being hurt very badly by China with devaluation, with taxing us heavy at the borders when we don't tax them, with building a massive fortress in the middle of the South China Sea, which they shouldn't be doing, and frankly with not helping us at all with North Korea," Reuters quoted him as saying. "You have North Korea. You have nuclear weapons and China could solve that problem and they're not helping us at all." (WION)

Trump says US not necessarily bound by 'one China' policy

US&nbsp;President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a &quot;petty action&quot; by the self-ruled island it claims as its own.

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan&#39;s leadership was the first by a US&nbsp;president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of &quot;one China&quot;.

Hours after Friday&#39;s call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency.

&quot;This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the &#39;one China&#39; structure already formed by the international community,&quot; Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported.

&quot;I believe that it won&#39;t change the longstanding &#39;one China&#39; policy of the United States government.&quot;

In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump&#39;s victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country.

Wang said the exchange sent &quot;a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US&nbsp;relations&quot;, according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry&#39;s website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript.

Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. &quot;The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!&quot; he said.

Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: &quot;Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact.&quot;

Trump and Tsai noted that &quot;close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States&quot;, the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan&#39;s presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation.

Later on Saturday, Taiwan&#39;s policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call &quot;calmly&quot;.

&quot;We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship,&quot; the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides.

China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January.

China&#39;s influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the &quot;one China&quot; principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he&#39;d have little time to do anything else.

&quot;We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do.&quot;

Arms supplier

Washington remains Taiwan&#39;s most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump.

&quot;Interesting how the US&nbsp;sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call,&quot; Trump said in another tweet.

Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US&nbsp;election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department.

The White House said after Trump&#39;s call that &quot;longstanding policy&quot; on China and Taiwan had not changed.

&quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. &quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.&quot;

Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was &quot;well aware of what US&nbsp;policy has been&quot; on Taiwan.

Administration officials said Trump&#39;s team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time.

Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US&nbsp;military in part in response to China&#39;s increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant.

Trump lambasted China throughout the US&nbsp;election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office.

Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader&#39;s office, as a &quot;terrific guy&quot;.

Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US&nbsp;accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation.

Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a &quot;very engaging, animated&quot; phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September.

A statement issued by Trump&#39;s transition team made no mention of the invitation.

(Reuters)

The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter

US President-elect Donald Trump spoke by phone with President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan, the first such contact between the two sides in nearly four decades, but China dismissed the call as a "petty action" by the self-ruled island it claims as its own. The 10-minute telephone call with Taiwan's leadership was the first by a US president-elect or president since President Jimmy Carter switched diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in 1979, acknowledging Taiwan as part of "one China". Hours after Friday's call, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi blamed Taiwan for the exchange, avoiding what could have been a major rift with Washington just before Trump assumes the presidency. "This is just the Taiwan side engaging in a petty action, and cannot change the 'one China' structure already formed by the international community," Wang said at an academic forum in Beijing, state media reported. "I believe that it won't change the longstanding 'one China' policy of the United States government." In comments at the same forum, Wang noted how quickly President Xi Jinping and Trump had spoken by telephone after Trump's victory, and that Trump had praised China as a great country. Wang said the exchange sent "a very positive signal about the future development of Sino-US relations", according to the Chinese Foreign Ministry's website. Taiwan was not mentioned in that call, according to an official Chinese transcript. Trump said on Twitter that Tsai had initiated the call he had with the Taiwan president. "The President of Taiwan CALLED ME today to wish me congratulations on winning the Presidency. Thank you!" he said. Alex Huang, a spokesman for Tsai, said: "Of course both sides agreed ahead of time before making contact." Trump and Tsai noted that "close economic, political and security ties exist between Taiwan and the United States", the Trump transition team said in a statement. Taiwan's presidential office said the two discussed strengthening bilateral interactions and establishing closer cooperation. Later on Saturday, Taiwan's policy making body on China said Beijing must look at the call "calmly". "We call on China to face the new situation in the Asia-Pacific region and work with us towards developing a benign cross-strait relationship," the Mainland Affairs Council said in a statement, referring to the stretch of water between the two sides. China considers Taiwan a wayward province and has never renounced the use of force to bring it under its control. Relations between the two sides have worsened since Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, was elected president in January. China's influential state-run tabloid the Global Times said in an online editorial that if Trump really overturned the "one China" principle upon assuming office it would create such a crisis with China he'd have little time to do anything else. "We believe this is not something the shrewd Trump wants to do." Arms supplier Washington remains Taiwan's most important political ally and sole arms supplier, despite the lack of formal diplomatic ties, the irony of which was not lost on Trump. "Interesting how the US sells Taiwan billions of dollars of military equipment but I should not accept a congratulatory call," Trump said in another tweet. Trump has eschewed tradition in other calls with foreign leaders since he won the US election, prompting the White House to encourage him to make use of the diplomatic expertise and counsel of the State Department. The White House said after Trump's call that "longstanding policy" on China and Taiwan had not changed. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations." Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said on CNN that Trump was "well aware of what US policy has been" on Taiwan. Administration officials said Trump's team did not alert the White House about the call ahead of time. Advisers to the Republican president-elect have indicated that he is likely to take a more robust policy towards China than Obama, a Democrat, and that Trump plans to boost the US military in part in response to China's increasing power in Asia. However, details of his plans remain scant. Trump lambasted China throughout the US election campaign, drumming up headlines with pledges to slap 45 percent tariffs on imported Chinese goods and label the country a currency manipulator on his first day in office. Earlier this week, Trump spoke to Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and praised him, according to the Pakistani leader's office, as a "terrific guy". Islamabad and Washington have seen relations sour in recent years over US accusations that Pakistan shelters Islamist militants who kill U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, a charge denied by the South Asian nation. Trump also invited Philippine leader Rodrigo Duterte to the White House next year during what a Duterte aide said was a "very engaging, animated" phone conversation. Duterte has openly insulted Obama, who cancelled a planned meeting with him in September. A statement issued by Trump's transition team made no mention of the invitation. (Reuters)

China blames Taiwan for president's 'petty' phone call with Trump

US President-elect Donald Trump is &quot;well aware&quot; of what US policy has been on Taiwan, Trump&#39;s spokeswoman said, after the US president-elect spoke by phone on Friday with Taiwan&#39;s president, a move likely to infuriate China.

&quot;President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone,&quot; Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway told CNN.

The White House on Friday said there was &quot;no change&quot; to the United States&#39; longstanding &quot;one China&quot; policy after&nbsp;Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen.

&quot;We remain firmly committed to our &#39;one China&#39; policy,&quot; said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. &quot;Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations.&quot;

(Reuters)

Trump is 'fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone'

US President-elect Donald Trump is "well aware" of what US policy has been on Taiwan, Trump's spokeswoman said, after the US president-elect spoke by phone on Friday with Taiwan's president, a move likely to infuriate China. "President-elect Trump is fully briefed and fully knowledgeable about these issues on an ongoing basis, regardless on who is on the other end of the phone," Trump spokeswoman Kellyanne Conway told CNN. The White House on Friday said there was "no change" to the United States' longstanding "one China" policy after Donald Trump spoke with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen. "We remain firmly committed to our 'one China' policy," said Ned Price, a national security spokesman for President Barack Obama. "Our fundamental interest is in peaceful and stable cross-Strait relations." (Reuters)

Trump is 'well aware' of what US policy has been on Taiwan - spokeswoman

Taiwan&#39;s government will continue to look for ways to maintain dialogue with China, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, after Beijing said it had halted a regular communication mechanism with Taipei. 
 
China, which regards the self-ruled island as a wayward province, is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who took office last month, since Beijing suspects she will push for formal independence. 
 
Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, says she wants to maintain the status quo and is committed to ensuring peace. 
 
But China has insisted she recognise a pact called the &quot;1992 consensus&quot; between its Communists and Taiwan&#39;s then-ruling Nationalists, by which both agreed there is only one China, with each having its own interpretation of what that means. 
 
On Saturday, China said because Taiwan&#39;s new government would not recognise that principle, it had stopped the regular communication mechanism between the two sides. 
 
&quot;No matter what party is in government in Taiwan, we always have a single, common objective: to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait,&quot; Tsai told reporters during a visit to Paraguay, Taiwan&#39;s sole diplomatic ally in South America. 
 
&quot;We will continue the dialogue with mainland China, as even though, probably at this moment official negotiation channels have been temporarily interrupted, there still exist other options for communication and dialogue,&quot; she said, speaking through an interpreter. 
 
On Wednesday, Taiwan Premier Lin Chuan said the government&#39;s approach was for positive interactions with China to continue, based on existing foundations. 
 
&quot;There must be willingness on both sides to move forward on the relationship,&quot; Lin told reporters about the suspension issue at a function in southern Taiwan. 
 
But in Beijing, a spokesman for China&#39;s Taiwan Affairs Office signalled there would be no compromise, saying the &quot;1992 consensus&quot; had been the basis for improved relations since 2008, when the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became president and signed a series of landmark trade and tourism deals with China. 
 
&quot;People cannot help but ask - why does Taiwan want to change the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait that has been in place since 2008? What is the aim?&quot; An Fengshan asked at a regular news briefing. 
 
Tsai is on her first trip overseas as president, visiting diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay, with transit stops in the United States each way. 
 
Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after a civil war with the Communists in 1949, which has never formally ended. China has also never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. 
 
(Reuters)

A spokesman in Beijing signalled there would be no compromise as Taiwan's new govt would not recognise the '1992 consensus'

Taiwan's government will continue to look for ways to maintain dialogue with China, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday, after Beijing said it had halted a regular communication mechanism with Taipei. China, which regards the self-ruled island as a wayward province, is deeply suspicious of Tsai, who took office last month, since Beijing suspects she will push for formal independence. Tsai, who heads the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party, says she wants to maintain the status quo and is committed to ensuring peace. But China has insisted she recognise a pact called the "1992 consensus" between its Communists and Taiwan's then-ruling Nationalists, by which both agreed there is only one China, with each having its own interpretation of what that means. On Saturday, China said because Taiwan's new government would not recognise that principle, it had stopped the regular communication mechanism between the two sides. "No matter what party is in government in Taiwan, we always have a single, common objective: to maintain peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait," Tsai told reporters during a visit to Paraguay, Taiwan's sole diplomatic ally in South America. "We will continue the dialogue with mainland China, as even though, probably at this moment official negotiation channels have been temporarily interrupted, there still exist other options for communication and dialogue," she said, speaking through an interpreter. On Wednesday, Taiwan Premier Lin Chuan said the government's approach was for positive interactions with China to continue, based on existing foundations. "There must be willingness on both sides to move forward on the relationship," Lin told reporters about the suspension issue at a function in southern Taiwan. But in Beijing, a spokesman for China's Taiwan Affairs Office signalled there would be no compromise, saying the "1992 consensus" had been the basis for improved relations since 2008, when the China-friendly Ma Ying-jeou became president and signed a series of landmark trade and tourism deals with China. "People cannot help but ask - why does Taiwan want to change the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Strait that has been in place since 2008? What is the aim?" An Fengshan asked at a regular news briefing. Tsai is on her first trip overseas as president, visiting diplomatic allies Panama and Paraguay, with transit stops in the United States each way. Defeated Nationalist forces fled to Taiwan after a civil war with the Communists in 1949, which has never formally ended. China has also never renounced the use of force to bring Taiwan under its control. (Reuters)

Taiwan president says wants to maintain communication with China