In a subtle yet strong message to China, BJP MPs Meenakshi Lekhi and Rahul Kaswan virtually attended Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen swearing-in ceremony and congratulated her on behalf of the Narendra Modi-led NDA government.
China which claims Taiwan as its territory said yesterday that it will encourage the people of Taiwan to join it in opposing the island’s independence and promoting China’s “reunification”.
This statement by Chinese Premier Li Keqiang is likely to worsen Beijing’s poor relations with Taipei.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen represents the ruling Democratic Progressive Party which strongly advocates the country’s formal independence from China. Beijing sees Tsai as a threat and has repeatedly said it will use force to prevent the independence of the island nation.
Tsai won in a landslide last year after the repression of pro-democracy protests in the semi-autonomous region of Hong Kong solidified public opinion in Taiwan against moves toward accepting rule by Beijing, PTI reported.
Tsai Ing-wen refuses to recognize Taiwan as part of China
Beijing has cut off ties with Tsai’s government after she refused to recognize the island as a part of China.
A former Japanese colony, Taiwan was handed to China in 1945 but split again from the mainland during the 1949 civil war. Mao Zedong’s Communists forced rival Nationalists, led by Chiang Kai-shek to flee to Taiwan.
To create pressure on Taiwan, China has frequently blocked the country from international gatherings such as the World Health Assembly apart from carrying out routine patrols and exercises to intimidate the island’s population.
The United States maintains strong but informal ties with Taiwan and is the island’s main source of military support against China’s military threats.
The US considers Taiwan a reliable partner with Mike Pompeo saying that Washington and Taipei have a shared vision for the region one that includes rule of law, transparency, prosperity, and security for all.
