New | Tsai promises to defend Taipei’s interests in South China Sea
President vows to protect Taiwanese sovereignty, including fishing rights near Taiping in disputed Spratly Islands
Taiwan reiterated that it will safeguard its sovereignty in the South China Sea, amid heightened cross-strait tensions in the wake of a phone conversation between the island’s leader and US president-elect Donald Trump.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen also pledged on Friday to stop foreign boats from fishing illegally near the disputed Spratly Islands, the Central News Agency reported.
Tsai’s remarks came after the US Congress on Thursday passed a defence budget bill that included for the first time a section on senior military exchanges with Taiwan, according to the agency.
The budget included a programme for senior military officers from the US and Taiwan to take part in exchange activities, such as educational events, at least once a year, the report said.
Last week’s phone call between Tsai and Trump triggered protests by Beijing, which is concerned that Taipei is getting closer to Washington.
Trump has criticised Beijing for building artificial islands and military facilities in the South China Sea.