The Guardian
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan has declared her country’s determination to “walk on the international stage” after a trip through the US.
Tsai said her trip to Central America with transit stops in the United States – where she met with Republican lawmakers and visited Twitter’s headquarters – elevated the island’s international profile.
China had called on the US to prevent the visit and uphold the “one China” policy under which Beijing asserts "ownership" of Taiwan.
President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan has declared her country’s determination to “walk on the international stage” after a trip through the US.
Tsai said her trip to Central America with transit stops in the United States – where she met with Republican lawmakers and visited Twitter’s headquarters – elevated the island’s international profile.
China had called on the US to prevent the visit and uphold the “one China” policy under which Beijing asserts "ownership" of Taiwan.
China has voiced its fury with President Donald Trump, since he spoke by phone with Tsai after his election win.
It was the first time a US president had spoken to Taiwan’s leader since the “one China” policy was established in 1979.
While stopping over in the US, Tsai met with Texas Republicans including Senator Ted Cruz and the state governor, Greg Abbott, as well as visiting the headquarters of Twitter in San Francisco.
“Our first objective [of this trip] was to consolidate our state friendships and allow Taiwan to walk on the international stage,” Tsai said at Taiwan’s international airport upon her return.
Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters ahead of her departure from California bound for Taiwan.
While stopping over in the US, Tsai met with Texas Republicans including Senator Ted Cruz and the state governor, Greg Abbott, as well as visiting the headquarters of Twitter in San Francisco.
“Our first objective [of this trip] was to consolidate our state friendships and allow Taiwan to walk on the international stage,” Tsai said at Taiwan’s international airport upon her return.
Tsai Ing-wen waves to supporters ahead of her departure from California bound for Taiwan.
She said she had bilateral talks with four heads of state in Central America.
“We also grasped the opportunity during our short transit time in the United States to visit industries and talk with important people in America,” Tsai said.
Tsai’s transit stops were based on longstanding US practice and Tsai’s office had characterised her meetings there as private and unofficial.
China’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that its “one China” principle was the non-negotiable political basis for China-US relations, and urged “relevant parties” in the United States to recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue.
President Trump had earlier suggested he might use the “one China” policy as a bargaining chip with Beijing.
After attacking China repeatedly during the election campaign, President Trump has continued to criticise China in Twitter messages over its currency manipulation, for its military moves in the South China Sea, and for not doing enough to restrain North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
Tsai’s transit stops were based on longstanding US practice and Tsai’s office had characterised her meetings there as private and unofficial.
China’s foreign ministry said on Saturday that its “one China” principle was the non-negotiable political basis for China-US relations, and urged “relevant parties” in the United States to recognise the sensitivity of the Taiwan issue.
President Trump had earlier suggested he might use the “one China” policy as a bargaining chip with Beijing.
After attacking China repeatedly during the election campaign, President Trump has continued to criticise China in Twitter messages over its currency manipulation, for its military moves in the South China Sea, and for not doing enough to restrain North Korea’s nuclear and missile programmes.
