The government is fully committed to maintaining the cross-strait status quo for the benefit of the people of both sides and throughout the region, according to Foreign Minister Jaushieh Joseph Wu July 23.
“We want to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait ... By itself, Taiwan exists outside China, Taiwan exists by itself, so there’s no need for Taiwan to go beyond what it is right now,” Wu said.
The head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs made the remarks during an exclusive interview with CNN in Taipei City. It was the first time in many years for a Taiwan MOFA minister to grant such access to the U.S.-based news channel.
According to Wu, Taiwan’s international space is under pressure from China via a strategy of poaching diplomatic allies, pressuring private companies to change Taiwan’s designation on their websites and increased military activity near the country. But this approach is not currying favor with the people of Taiwan, he said.
“They say they want to win the hearts and minds of Taiwanese people but what they’re doing ... is to create hatred among the regular Taiwanese people [toward] the Chinese government. It is pushing Taiwan further and further away.”
The minister said the government is countering this strategy by deepening relations with the U.S. and maximizing cooperation with like-minded countries. Taiwan is pleased with the growing closeness of two-way ties under the administration of President Donald J. Trump, Wu added.
“President Trump maintains very good relations with Taiwan ... they told us that they believe Taiwan is not tradeable, and democracy is not tradeable.”
Concerning Taiwan’s official ties with the Holy See, the minister said the government maintains close contact with the Vatican and staunchly supports its policy of allowing the freedom of religion to prevail in China.
“Therefore maintaining good relations with Taiwan is the key to have Taiwan as an example to the Chinese people, especially Chinese Catholics, that they can have freedom of religion one day.” (JSM)
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