During her New Year’s Day speech on Friday, Ms Tsai denounced Beijing’s frequent patrols in the disputed region. Ms Tsai also invited China to resume communication which was cut off when she took office for a second term in 2016.
She said: “I want to reiterate, that when it comes to cross-strait relations we will not advance rashly and will stick to our principles.”
As long as the Beijing authorities are determined to defuse antagonism and improve cross-strait relations, in line with the principles of reciprocity and dignity, we are willing to jointly promote meaningful dialogue.”
China interrupted its communication channels with Taiwan in 2016 as Ms Tsai was elected.
Ms Tsai’s speech came as China issued a warning to the US after two American warships transited the Taiwan Strait amid mounting tensions.
The Chinese army has subsequently been on high alert and “ready to counter any threats or provocations,” according to Beijing’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
On its part, the US Navy explained it was carrying out a “routine Taiwan Strait transit” on Thursday to ensure “a free and open Indo-Pacific”.
Despite the US’ rebuttal, China accused Washington of staying a show of force.
Wang Wenbin, a spokesman of China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the move “sent the wrong signal to the ‘Taiwan independence force”.
Speaking at a daily press briefing, Mr Wang said: “We firmly oppose this.
“The Chinese People’s Liberation Army at all times maintains a high level of alert and is ready to counter any threats or provocations and resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The US Navy passed through the waterway 13 times during 2020.
Last week, Taiwan prepared warships to “stand guard” in response to Beijing’s aircraft carriers travelling close to the island just one day after a US warship sailed the waterway.
Six warships and eight air force aircraft, all led by China’s newest carrier the Shandong, were deployed to monitor the Chinese vessels, Reuters reported.
Taiwan’s Defense Ministry said the military had been deployed to “stand guard”.
The ministry added it was ”with the support of the people, the national armed forces have the confidence and ability to guard the homeland, and ensure national security and safeguard regional peace and stability.”
Taiwan has been relying on US resources to stop Beijing’s advances with multibillion dollar support packages being sent to Taiwan from Washington during Donald Trump’s time in office.
The Trump administration sent Taiwan 11 arms packages to Taiwan worth $5billion dollars in 2020 alone.
In response this, China warned the US to “immediately cancel the projects of selling weapons”.
Senior Colonel Ren Guoqiang, a spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND), said the latest US defence sale to Taiwan undermined “peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.
The US Defence Security Cooperation Agency said the Field Information Communications System (FICS) would help “modernise military communications capability”.
SOURCE
