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"Open your arms, not your fists," Taiwan's president urges China to refrain from threats

Politiko 2024-12-06 12:42:07

"Open your arms, not your fists," Taiwan's president urges China

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te called on China to "spread its arms, not its fists," as he wrapped up his first overseas visit since taking office in May.

The statements made at a press conference on the island of Palau on December 6 came in response to speculation that China would hold military exercises around Taiwan to counter his visit to the Pacific.

"No matter how many military exercises are held and how many warships and fighter jets are used to coerce neighboring countries, they will not be able to gain the respect of any state," he said.

The Taiwanese president made these statements a day after the Chinese Foreign Ministry announced the imposition of sanctions on 13 American companies and six company leaders, after it was recently announced about arms sales to Taiwan.

Taiwan and China were separated in 1949 during a civil war, when communists took control of Beijing and nationalists set up a rival government on Taiwan, an island of 23 million people about 160 kilometers off China's east coast.

China has long claimed that the self-governing island of Taiwan is part of it, and that it will one day be taken under control by Beijing.

Lai's visit to the Pacific region included stops in Hawaii and Guam, U.S. territories. He also visited the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that have diplomatic relations with Taiwan. The rest of the world, including the U.S., formally has diplomatic relations with China.

While in Guam, Lai held telephone conversations with US Congressional leaders, in a demonstration of American support for Taiwan.

The Taiwanese president's visits to the two US territories angered China, which opposes US arms sales and military aid to Taiwan./ REL

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