US vice president reiterates support for Taiwan in major China policy speech

Taiwan News
Date: 2019/10/25
By: Teng Pei-ju, Taiwan News, Staff Writer

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Retaining a harsh tone against Beijing in a speech on China policy similar

to the one he made a year ago, U.S. Vice President Mike Pence on Thursday (Oct. 24) expressed concern over the Chinese government’s pressure on Taiwan, adding that the U.S. stands by the island nation in defense of freedom and democracy.

In a major policy speech at the Washington-based Wilson Center, Pence said the U.S. does not seek to contain China’s development and desires instead to build a constructive relationship with Chinese leaders. Nevertheless, he unreservedly touched on issues known to sting Beijing, expressing support for Hong Kong’s anti-government protests and Taiwan’s defiance of China.

The vice president blasted China for poaching Taiwan’s allies through “checkbook diplomacy,” which he says threatens Taiwanese democracy. He went on to encourage the international community to engage with the island nation, as “it protects peace on Taiwan and throughout the region.”

“Under this administration, we’ve authorized additional military sales and recognized Taiwan’s place as one of the world’s great trading economies and beacons of Chinese culture and democracy,” said Pence. “We’ve stood by Taiwan in defense of her hard-won freedoms,” he added.
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