Democracy is under threat: Taiwan’s President in joint remarks

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen remarked on Wednesday (local time) that democracy is under threat and that the importance of “keeping the beacon of freedom shining” cannot be overstated, according to CNN.

While addressing the presser at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in California’s Simi Valley, Tsai, standing along with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, said, “It is no secret that today the peace we have maintained and the democracy which we have worked hard to build are facing unprecedented challenges.” “We once again find ourselves in a world where democracy is under threat and the urgency of keeping the beacon of freedom shining cannot be understated,” she added.

Tsai visited McCarthy on Wednesday, making her the first Taiwanese president to meet with a US House speaker on US territory.

According to CNN, the historic encounter is Tsai’s second with an American lawmaker of that rank in less than a year, following a visit to Taiwan by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August.
Tsai and McCarthy were both given major platforms to showcase US-Taiwan ties during the summit.

“We’re stronger when we are together,” Tsai said in the press conference. “In our efforts to protect our way of life, Taiwan is grateful to have the United States by our side.”
While addressing the presser, McCarthy said, “The friendship between the people of Taiwan and America is a matter of profound importance to the free world. It is critical to maintain economic freedom, peace and regional stability,” reported CNN.

After Tsai landed in California in the US and held a meeting with McCarthy, China vowed that it will take “resolute and effective measures to safeguard national sovereignty,” according to the official statement.

Tsai visited McCarthy on Wednesday, making her the first Taiwanese president to meet with a US House speaker on US territory.

According to CNN, the historic encounter is Tsai’s second with an American lawmaker of that rank in less than a year, following a visit to Taiwan by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in August.
Tsai and McCarthy were both given major platforms to showcase US-Taiwan ties during the summit.

“This is essentially the United States acting with Taiwan to connive at “Taiwan independence” separatists’ political activities in the United States, conduct official contact with Taiwan and upgrade the substantive relations with Taiwan, and frame it as a transit”, according to the statement.