Radio Taiwan International
Date: 2018-04-25
The government on Tuesday responded to remarks from China’s government threatening
Cabinet spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung appears in this CNA file photo.
to escalate tensions in the Taiwan Strait, calling them unhelpful and displaying intent to intimidate.
Earlier in the day, Ma Xiaoguang, spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, said recent military exercises in the Taiwan Strait were aimed at curbing “Taiwan independence forces and activities.” Ma said China would take “further action” if “Taiwan independence” speech and activities continue within Taiwan.
In response, Cabinet spokesperson Hsu Kuo-yung said freedom of speech in Taiwan is a part of a democratic nation and is a basic right protected by the country’s constitution. Hsu said intimidatory language is not helpful to cross-strait peace or to regional stability.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory even though the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have been ruled separately for nearly 70 years. Beijing has stated its willingness to use force to achieve its ultimate goal of unification. [SOURCE]
