Taiwan president says war with China ‘not an option’

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen declared Monday that a war with China is “absolutely not an option,” however the president also stressed that the island should bolster its defenses in front of the increasing threat.

“I want to make clear to the Beijing authorities that armed confrontation is absolutely not an option for our two sides. Only by respecting the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty, democracy, and freedom can there be a foundation for resuming constructive interaction across the Taiwan Strait,” said Tsai during a speech.

Relations between the two sides have been strained following the visit of United States House Speaker Nancy Pelosi last summer, which prompted criticism from Beijing and, ultimately, a series of military maneuvers across the Taiwan Strait.

Agencies