Focus Taiwan
Date: 2019/12/29
By: Lee Hsin-Yin

Taipei, Dec. 29 (CNA) In a presidential debate generally lacking in substance, cross-Taiwan Strait relations and national security were among the main issues discussed, with the three candidates defending their approaches to dealing with China and its military threat.

The candidates all vowed to defend the Republic of China and the status quo, but they offered little in the way of specifics on a way forward.

On how to maintain healthy ties with a China that is getting stronger, President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文), who is running for re-election, said her administration has been working to keep normal exchanges with China without making provocative or risky moves.

"The real problem is Beijing is trying to turn cross-strait relations into a political chip," Tsai said, stressing that the most important issue was how to protect and defend the country's sovereignty.
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