Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2017-12-18

Taiwan’s Presidential Office has urged China not to escalate tensions across the Taiwan Strait. That’s the word from Presidential Office spokesman Alex Huang on Monday.

Huang’s comments came after a Chinese aircraft flew through the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and the Philippines, toward the Pacific Ocean on Monday morning.

Huang said any act that escalates military tension and could endanger regional peace and security is irresponsible, adding that it is not what the international community would like to see.

“In the past, we have strived to maintain cross-strait peace and stability, in line with public opinion and the domestic consensus,” said Huang. “[Taiwan] continues to send friendly gestures to China, with the hope of gradually easing confrontations and differences through friendly interaction. I believe these steps taken by Taiwan are the correct steps in the right direction.”    [FULL  STORY]