Annexing Taiwan is China's national strategy: premier

ROC Central News Agency

2018/05/02 13:47:58

Taipei, May 2 (CNA) Premier Lai Ching-te (賴清德) said Wednesday that annexing Taiwan is China's national policy and strategy as evidenced by the way Beijing continues its efforts to lure away Taiwan's diplomatic allies and block the nation's participation on the international stage.

Lai made the comment after being asked by a reporter whether the Dominican Republic's announcement Monday it has severed ties with Taiwan and switched its allegiance to China was a case of China reacting to his depiction of himself as a "political worker for Taiwan independence." The premier declined to answer the question.

Lai also said he hoped the ruling and opposition parties would work together and the public support the government as it responds to the growing threat posed by China, which seeks to reduce the ranks of the nation's diplomatic allies to the detriment of Taiwan's national interests.

The Dominican Republic's decision reduces the number of countries that have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan to 19, comprised of African, Caribbean, Latin American and Pacific island nations, as well as the Vatican.

(By Ku Chuan and Evelyn Kao)
Enditem/AW