Taiwan takes aim at ‘Beijing’s suppression’, thanks ‘good friends like America’ during US health secretary talks
- Communist Party broke international health treaty by failing to warn the world about coronavirus, Alex Azar says during historic visit to island
- Azar expresses regret over Taiwan being excluded from the World Health Assembly and denied an opportunity to share its health expertise
“Taiwan is no stranger to such troubles. Our lives have become increasingly difficult as China continues to pressure Taiwan into accepting its political conditions, conditions that will turn Taiwan into the next Hong Kong,” Wu said.
Beijing considers Taiwan a breakaway province subject to eventual union with the mainland, by force if necessary. It has suspended official exchanges with Taipei, stepped up military intimidation and poached seven of the island’s allies since Tsai Ing-wen, of the independence-leaning Democratic Progressive Party was elected president in 2016 and refused to accept the one-China principle.
“We are fortunate to have good friends like the US and its enthusiastic members, like Secretary Azar, who were always there supporting each and every fight of Taiwan for international space,” Wu said, adding the US support was not just about Taiwan’s status, but about sustaining democracy in the face of authoritarian aggression.
“Taiwan must win these battles so democracy prevails.”