Taiwan faces a difficult struggle “to protect our way of life,” according to the island democracy’s leader, who touted her meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as a sign of American solidarity.
“Taiwan strives to be a reliable partner to the world, a cornerstone for stability in the region, and a force for good,” Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen said Wednesday at the Reagan Library. “There is a saying in the Confucian Analects, that is, ‘one who is virtuous will not stand alone.’ In our efforts to protect our way of life, Taiwan is grateful to have the United States of America by our side.”
BLINKEN WARNS CHINA NOT TO ‘PUSH AT CHANGING THE STATUS QUO’ OVER TAIWAN
Tsai’s much-anticipated meeting with McCarthy occurred under the shadow of China’s threats to retaliate over the Republican leader’s “wrong signals” to Taiwan, which the communist regime has vowed to bring under Beijing’s authority. Tsai and McCarthy, in the event, touted the ideological alignment between Taiwan and the United States while attempting to tread lightly along the boundary between unofficial “friendship” and overt political ties.
“The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world, and it is critical to maintain economic freedom, peace, and regional stability,” McCarthy said. “We will honor our obligations and reiterate our commitment to our shared values, behind which all Americans are united.”
Neither Tsai nor McCarthy mentioned China by name, although Tsai noted “the urgency” of the danger faced by Taiwan.
“It is no secret that today, the peace that we have maintained and the democracy which have worked hard to build are facing unprecedented challenges,” she said. “We once again find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat. And the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be understated.”
Chinese officials declared the meeting a violation of Beijing’s sovereignty over Taiwan, even though the Chinese Communist regime has never ruled the island. Washington has never endorsed Beijing’s claim. U.S. policy toward Taiwan is anchored in a federal law that mandates the provision of defense equipment to the island and other displays of unofficial solidarity between the two sides.
Tsai touted the meeting as an appropriate homage to Ronald Reagan’s role in establishing the political contours of the unofficial U.S. relationship with Taiwan in the years after Jimmy Carter cut diplomatic relations with Taipei.
“I want to thank Speaker McCarthy for his warm hospitality and for his invitation to bipartisan congressional leaders who have taken time out of their busy schedules to join us today,” she said. “Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated. We are not alone.
Reagan issued Taiwan with Six Assurances which emphasized that the United States would take no formal position on the sovereignty dispute between Beijing and Taipei, “would not mediate between Taiwan and China,” and “would not consult with China in advance” of any arms sales to the island.
“I also highlighted a belief which President Reagan championed that to preserve peace, we must be strong,” Tsai said. “I would like to add that we are stronger when we are together.”
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
McCarthy affirmed that unity in terms that emphasized social and economic connections, rather than the political links that China wanted to break.
“I believe our bond is stronger now than at any time or point in my lifetime,” McCarthy said. “And whether it’s our deep commercial ties, strong people-to-people relationships, our shared values, our cooperation with the people of Taiwan continues to expand through dialogue and exchange.”
