By Smartencyclopedia Newsroom with agencies

Amid the ongoing tensions with China, Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen on Saturday vowed to maintain the status quo of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.

During her speech in the presidential office in Taipei, she said that Taiwan will not provoke and bow to Chinese pressure.

Recently, Taiwan-China relations got worsened with Tsai’s visit to the US and seeking aid to strengthen their military.

China has stepped up its military and diplomatic pressure to force the island to accept Chinese sovereignty since Tsai took office in 2016.

“War is not an option. Neither side can unilaterally change the status quo with non-peaceful means,” Tsai said. “Maintaining the status quo of peace and stability is the consensus for both the world and Taiwan,” she added.

“Although Taiwan is surrounded by risks, it is by no means a risk maker. We are a responsible risk manager and Taiwan will stand together with democratic countries and communities around the world to jointly defuse the risks,” she said.

Tsai also said that Taiwan is in discussions with US President Joe Biden’s administration on sending $500 million in weapons aid.

In mid-January Taiwan is gearing up for a key presidential election.

“The fears for war will never drive away the hope for peace,” said Hou Yu-ih, presidential candidate of the Opposition’s Kuomintang (KMT) party at an event in Taipei kickstarting the election campaign.

Hou, the former head of the National Police Agency, will face current Vice President William Lai of the governing Democratic Progressive Party in the January polls.

Hou, as mayor of New Taipei enjoys popular support.

Source: with agencies