Mainland Affairs Council Minister Chiu Chui-cheng (邱垂正) expressed confidence in US support for Taiwan under US President Donald Trump’s administration in an interview with Al Jazeera published yesterday.
“Taiwan and the US have a very strong and solid relationship, and Taiwan has cross-party support from the US Congress,” Chiu said in the interview.
Chiu said he believes Washington would never accept an “unreasonable request” from Beijing to alter the terms of its relationship with Taiwan, despite widespread concern that Trump could use Taiwan as a bargaining chip in its dealings with China.
Photo: Liao Chen-hui, Taipei Times
The report said many Taiwanese are worried that Trump could abandon Taiwan to win concessions in trade talks with China.
Chiu said Taiwan has much to offer the US, from its strategic position within Washington’s first island chain defense strategy aimed at checking Chinese expansion in the Pacific, to its position as the world’s foremost chipmaker.
“We think that we can demonstrate to the US people and to the US people that Taiwan is a very good partner, and we are irreplaceable,” Chiu said.
Chiu said Taiwan would continue to observe the Trump administration, “Taiwan’s government has a very consistent position of protecting our sovereignty, our freedom and democracy.”
In the interview, Chiu also said he was most concerned about the leadership style of Chinese President Xi Jinping (習近平).
Chiu said that Taiwan’s government continues to try to communicate with Beijing through official channels, as well as liaising through intermediaries from the business world, nonprofit sector and academia.
Chiu, however, criticized China’s communications with the opposition Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which he characterized as part of Beijing’s divide and rule and “United Front” tactics employed against Taiwan.
“We are constantly facing United Front tactics, infiltration and division in Taiwanese society. They are everywhere,” Chiu said.
“The Xi regime is a new type of authoritarianism. He has been inciting a fanatic nationalism, and that’s why we are seeing military hegemony and wolf warrior diplomacy,” Chiu said.
“Mainland China right now is not a very rational decision-making party, and this nationalism poses a great threat to its neighboring countries,” he added.
“If you ask me what concerns me the most, I would say that it’s the essence of the Xi regime,” he said.
FUKUOKA SITUATION: Japanese media reported that the pathogen is expected to be identified by the summer, while the CDC downplayed the idea that it was hMPV A “mysterious cold-like illness” reported in Japan’s Fukuoka Prefecture does not seem to be a new disease, but Japanese authorities have been asked about the situation, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) said yesterday. The Fukuoka Prefectural Medical Association on Wednesday told a news conference that a “mystery cold” that has become a hot topic on social media is “highly likely to be caused by some kind of viral infection,” Japan’s KBC News reported. “Many people are experiencing symptoms starting with a sore throat, followed by a runny nose, phlegm and a severe cough,” KBC News reported, citing association officials. Health authorities are
Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang (黃仁勳) arrived in Taiwan yesterday ahead of upcoming AI and technology events, saying he plans to meet with clients and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Chairman C.C. Wei (魏哲家) during his visit. After landing at Taipei Songshan Airport, Huang posed for photos with fans and handed out Yakult drinks to reporters and supporters waiting at the scene, saying he has “a lot to do” during the trip. Asked about reports that Nvidia’s planned headquarters site in Taipei’s Beitou Shilin Technology Park could break ground on May 27, Huang said that if the company holds an event, he would
The Ministry of Finance this afternoon announced the winning numbers for the March-April uniform invoice lottery. The winning number for the NT$10 million (US$318,060) special prize is 19531471, and the winning number for the NT$2 million grand prize is 85941329. Three numbers were drawn for the NT$200,000 first prize: 07225810, 20231230 and 83518781. Those with receipts matching the last seven digits of any of the first-prize numbers will win the NT$40,000 second prize, while those matching the last six digits will win the NT$10,000 third prize. Those whose receipts match the last five digits of the first-prize numbers can claim the NT$4,000 fourth prize,
Former president Ma Ying-jeou (馬英九) yesterday expressed “shock and regret” over a statement issued by his wife without his consent, and rejected her assertion that his eldest sister, Ma Yi-nan (馬以南), would manage his medical care or act as his spokesperson amid an ongoing embezzlement probe into his foundation. Ma Ying-jeou in a statement said he was shocked by a statement by his wife, Chou Mei-ching (周美青), regarding his affairs. Ma Yi-nan “must not” be in charge of his healthcare and other personal affairs, nor can she be allowed to represent the Ma family, the former president said. He said he was also
RSS