Violence and atrocities : President Tsai Ing-wen

Showing posts with label President Tsai Ing-wen. Show all posts

Sunday, November 27, 2022

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan quits as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after loss in election

The vote in Taiwan has drawn global attention because the loss of President Tsai Ing-wen could become a bigger geopolitical flashpoint between China and the United States. Tsai Ing-wen resigned as head of the governing Democratic Progressive Party after its poor performance in local elections. The opposition Kuomintang (KMT) won major races including the capital Taipei. Prior to the election, President Tsai had described the election as a vote for democracy amid rising tensions with China. After the results came out, she admitted that - "the election results were not as expected... I should shoulder all the responsibility and I resign as DPP chairwoman immediately.” However, she will continue as president of the self-ruled island. These elections for local councils and city mayors theoretically have a domestic agenda and focused on local issues such as crime, housing and social welfare. Those elected will not have a direct say on Taiwan's policy regarding China. However, Ms Tsai and government officials had urged voters to use the elections to send a message about standing up for democracy, as Beijing increases pressure on the island. Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen quits as party chair after local elections. The Chinese government perceives Taiwan as a breakaway province that will, in due course of time, be part of the country.

A large section of Taiwanese people considers their self-ruled island to be distinct. It has its own form of government and a democratic system. However, tensions peaked in August when Beijing staged huge military drills around Taiwan. It was in a protest against the visit by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to the island. The US has long walked a tightrope over Taiwan. Officially, it does not have any formal ties with Taiwan. In spite of that, it has also pledged to supply the island with defensive weapons and stressed that any attack by China would cause "grave concern." Taiwan has two major political parties. Their views differ on China. One of these is the Kuomintang (KMT). It consists of conservative business champions and traditionally seen as pro-China "doves." They advocate economic engagement with China and appear to favor unification while denying being pro-China. Their main rival is Ms Tsai's governing Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). She had won a landslide victory in the 2020 national election. Her stand is Beijing needs to show respect to Taiwan. She also said Taipei would not bow to pressure.

Thursday, October 20, 2022

Taiwan has allies in the Pacific and Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally

China wants to swallow Taiwan. This is a self-ruled democracy, hungry for companionship. Its efforts go beyond official channels. It has diplomatic ties with Guatemala and allies in the Pacific. Lithuania is its newest unofficial ally and the government and local shoppers have embraced its imports. These range from lasers to bacon-flavored schnapps. “Taiwan is now receiving more international attention than ever before,” said President Tsai Ing-wen in on Taiwan’s national day of October 10. The country has fewer embassies than a decade ago. However, it now has more ties with a wider range of nations. Incidentally, this approach has been there since the 1980s and ’90s when diplomats and officials would go to play golf games in foreign capitals. The reason for its latest burst of diplomatic activity is probably a fallout of a sense of deepening insecurity. This probably stems from the attitude of China and new opportunities for connection. How Taiwan’s ‘Adorable’ and Ambitious Diplomacy Aims to Keep the Island Safe.

China, under the country’s top leader, Xi Jinping, has made Taiwan more of a priority. US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken said recently that China is now operating on a “much faster timeline” to annex Taiwan. Neither of them mentioned any timeline. The latest foreign ministry budget of Taiwan included a sizable increase because it expects to host more than six meetings per day, every day of the year. Eswatini is one of Taiwan’s official allies. Its King Mswati III had come to Taipei last week. President Tsai Ing-wen hosted a lunch for Japanese officials and met with delegations from Canada and Washington. Two weeks ago, leaders of Taiwan feted German parliamentarians. Obviously, the country is working to a plan and trying to reach out to other countries for support.

Friday, September 30, 2022

President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan wants to achieve self-sufficiency in defense

A new, domestically made amphibious warfare ship has joined the navy of Taiwan. Such a warship can land troops and bolster supply lines to vulnerable islands. This is a part of push to achieve self-sufficiency in defense, as envisaged by Taiwan’s President Tsai Ing-wen. The name of the warship is Yu Shan. It is derived from the name of Taiwan’s tallest mountain. This is a program for modernizing the armed forces in view of increased pressure from the military of China. President Tsai said - “When it comes to China’s military threats, only by strengthening our self-defence capabilities can there be true peace.” She said the Yu Shan was a proof of the efforts of Taiwan to boost production of its own warships and ensure autonomy in national defense to “defend the country.” Taiwan adds new amphibious warfare ship to defence inventory. The arsenal of the warship consists of forward cannon, for use against air and surface targets. There are also anti-aircraft missiles, apart from rapid-fire Phalanx close-in anti-aircraft and anti-missile guns.

The warship was an amphibious warfare vessel. It has space for landing craft and helicopters. It will assume the “main transport role” for the South China Sea and offshore Taiwanese islands that lie close to the coast of China. It considers these islands as easy targets in the event of war. The Air Force of Taiwan has already taken advantage of the new and upgraded F-16 fighter aircraft. The focus of President Tsai is now on submarines that are already in production. In addition, she has plans for launch of a fleet of highly maneuverable stealth corvette ships. China has already conducted live fire drills near Taiwan last month. This was to express its anger at a visit to Taipei by US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China has continued its military activity at a much-reduced tempo. America is the most important international arms supplier for Taiwan and Tsai is determined to make Taiwan self-sufficient. A UK-based defense and security think-tank indicated last month that the military of China could struggle to launch an amphibious assault on Taiwan. This would be because of the island’s anti-ship missile defense systems.

Monday, September 12, 2022

Chinese drones in the skies of Taiwan increase tension in the region

As many as 30 unarmed drones buzzed over two islands near the coast of China. These islands belong to Taiwan and most of these aerial vehicles were either civilian, or unidentified. Garrison of Taiwanese soldiers stationed on the rocky outcrops appeared to be the targets. In the initial stages, the Taiwanese soldiers ignored them. However, when the frequency of flights increased, the soldiers fired warning shots and shot down one of them into the sea. This added to the tensions between the two sides. China continues to claim that Taiwan, even though self-governed, is its territory. The presence of Chinse military in the Taiwan Strait has increased. They are flying jets and sailing ships closer to the island. The intention could be to test the defenses of Taiwan, thereby raising the risk of conflict. Chinese Drones: The latest irritant buzzing Taiwan’s defenses. As an analyst explains - “China is using such harassment to increase pressure, deliberately raising tensions around Taiwan. Don’t assume that a civilian drone has nothing to do with military purposes.”

It remains to be seen how Taiwan responds to future Chinese drone flights that might enter its airspace. In addition, whether it can deter Beijing without provoking conflict. China could be using the military drones to gather intelligence. It might be making use of the civilian drones for domestic propaganda purposes in order to undermine the image of Taiwan and mount a campaign of intimidation and psychological warfare. President Tsai Ing-wen has made it clear to China that the military of Taiwan will “not provoke disputes, and we will exercise self-restraint, but it does not mean that we will not counter.” She said this in a recent speech on the Penghu Islands in the Taiwan Strait.

Friday, September 2, 2022

Taiwan shoots down civilian drone near China

Tension between Taiwan and China heightens as Taiwan shit down a drone off the coast of China. It flew over a Taiwanese-controlled island. Taiwan Premier Su Tseng-chang described it as an appropriate action in spite of repeated warnings. It seems the unidentified civilian drone entered the airspace of Taiwan. The incident happened near the outlying Kinmen islands very close to Xiamen city of China. Taiwan’s military confirms that it shot down the drone after it entered restricted airspace near the tiny Shiyu (Lion) islet. It later crashed into the sea. The Premier of Taiwan told media persons that Taiwan had repeatedly issued warnings and “asked them not to encroach on our doorstep.” However, they ignored the warnings. As a result, the military shot it down in self-defense. The Premier added that China should exercise restraint. In his words - “We will never provoke, and we will do the most appropriate thing to protect our land and our people.” Taiwan premier says drone shot down near China was ‘appropriate’. The foreign ministry of China accused Taiwan of trying to increase tension.

The Kinmen Defense Command mentioned that in spite of firing flares and warning shots, the drone maintained its position. The drone was meant for “civilian” use. There is no mention of its recovery or how it was brought own. Taiwan occupies three of the islands off the coast of the Chinese port city of Xiamen. Incidents of drones hovering over these islands had increased. The Taiwanese military says there have been hundreds of aerial incursions by Chinese military aircraft into Taiwan’s air defense identification zone. These have taken place so far this year. Tension between Taipei and Beijing went up following the recent visit of US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi. China responded by conducting live-fire military drills for more than a week in the waters around the island. President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan gave orders to the military to take “strong countermeasures” against what she termed Chinese provocations.