“We will continue to bolster our national defense and demonstrate our determination to defend ourselves in order to ensure that nobody can force Taiwan to take the path China has laid out for us,”
- China’s government immediately denounced the speech, saying Tsai incited confrontation and distorted facts. China’s Taiwan Affairs Office said the country seeking its own independence closes the door to dialogue.
- Tsai is overseeing a military modernization program in Taiwan intended to strengthen the country’s defenses. The initiative includes plans for Taiwan to build its own submarines and long-range missiles that can strike deep into China if necessary.
- Tsai asserted that Taiwan and its citizens “do not have the privilege of letting down our guard,” Reuters added.
- Tsai’s speech comes two days after a small contingent of U.S. troops were deployed to Taiwan to train local forces. Chinese officials have asked the United States to end all military ties with Taiwan.
SOURCE: WASHINGTONEXAMINER
Political | Process 
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