Taiwan Official's Visit to the US Prompts , Concerns of Renewed Tension .
NBC reports that Taiwan's vice president said the island nation will not back down in the face of authoritarian threats from China.
NBC reports that Taiwan's vice president said the island nation will not back down in the face of authoritarian threats from China.
The statement was made during a visit to the U.S. by Taiwan's vice president, William Lai, who is currently favored to become the country's next president.
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Lai reportedly said that his visit to the U.S. was officially just a transit stop on his way to Paraguay, one of just 13 countries that maintain formal ties with Taiwan.
Despite both the U.S. and Taiwan stressing that the stopovers are routine, China has denounced the visit, while calling Lai a separatist "troublemaker.".
On August 13, Lai told supporters in New York that , "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful.".
On August 13, Lai told supporters in New York that , "if Taiwan is safe, the world is safe, if the Taiwan Strait is peaceful, then the world is peaceful.".
No matter how great the threat of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, we absolutely will not be scared nor cower, we will uphold the values of democracy and freedom, William Lai, Vice president of Taiwan, via NBC .
No matter how great the threat of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, we absolutely will not be scared nor cower, we will uphold the values of democracy and freedom, William Lai, Vice president of Taiwan, via NBC .
NBC reports that Taiwan remains China's top diplomatic issue and has been a constant source of conflict between Washington and Beijing.
The U.S. and Taiwan urged China not to take any retaliatory action in response to Lai's stopovers in the U.S. Regardless, officials in Taiwan have stated that China is expected to launch more military drills near Taiwan later this week.
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Regardless, officials in Taiwan have stated that China is expected to launch more military drills near Taiwan later this week.
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In April, China carried out a series of war games near Taiwan following President Tsai Ing-wen's return from a trip to California for a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.
In April, China carried out a series of war games near Taiwan following President Tsai Ing-wen's return from a trip to California for a meeting with House Speaker Kevin McCarthy
