China opposes the praise for Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen given by the US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo. Tsai had her inauguration ceremony on Wednesday.
China expressed “strong indignation” after Pompeo commended the re-elected Taiwanese president’s “courage and vision.” The message was read at her inauguration ceremony.
Tsai won a second term with a landslide win in January. This is a victory that suggests a disapproval of China's effort to give the island a cold shoulder. China claims Taiwan as its own province.
According to Pompeo, Tsai’s “courage and vision in leading Taiwan’s vibrant democracy [was] an inspiration to the region and the world." This is the first time a US secretary of state sent a message to a Taiwanese president.
China’s foreign ministry view Pompeo’s act as an intrusion into the peace and stability in the strait between Taiwan and China. China warned it would implement “necessary countermeasures,” and the US would have to face the consequences. The Chinese official did not give further details.
In her inauguration address, Tsai said that Taiwan would not allow China to “downgrade” its status and promised to fight pressure from the Chinese government.
She added that both sides should find a way to coexist. “We have resisted the pressure of aggression and annexation, we have made the transition from authoritarianism to democracy. Although we were once isolated in the world, we have always persisted in values of democracy and freedom no matter the challenges ahead of us.
“We will not accept the Beijing authorities’ use of ‘one country, two systems’ to downgrade Taiwan and undermine the cross-strait status quo,” she said.
On the other hand, Beijing said China would not permit “Taiwan independence separatist activities”.
Coronavirus response
Beijing has been receiving international criticism over its response to the coronavirus crisis. On the other hand, Taiwan's reputation in the international community improved after its successful response to the pandemic.
Taiwan implemented monitoring and screening for incoming travelers as early as 31 December. The government imposed travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine testing, and phone tracking.
Tsai also promised changes in Taiwan in her speech. These plans could be at odds with China’s global interests, including the development of a cybersecurity industry integrated with the global 5G transformation.
“We will strive to create a cybersecurity system and industrial chain which can protect our country and earn the world’s trust,” she said.
Tsai expressed gratitude to the people of Taiwan for their efforts in responding to the coronavirus outbreak. She said the country's actions throughout the pandemic had “changed the way the international community views Taiwan."
“You have shown the world Taiwan’s commitment to civic virtues, even in times of greatest distress … This is is what solidarity feels like,” she said. “It takes more than fervour to govern a country.”
China’s state-run Global Times released an editorial that accuses Pompeo's congratulatory message as a deliberate action to challenge Beijing.
“The US and Taiwan want to play petty tricks at a low cost, which is too naive. We will make them feel pain in some places that they can’t think of,” it said in a tweet.
“Washington and the Tsai administration are so narcissistic that they think they can make the mainland uncomfortable and have nothing to do by saying a few words,” it said.
“The mainland’s military strength has been able to effectively overwhelm the Taiwan military and deter the US. The economic power between the two sides of the Taiwan strait is tilted toward the mainland. This is the broad outline of the situation across the Taiwan strait.”
