President did not use "welcome" for British base: Presidential Office

ROC Central News Agency

2019/01/07 22:27:57

Taipei, Jan. 7 (CNA) The Presidential Office issued a statement on Monday to clarify a report by a foreign media that stated President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文) "welcomed" a British military base in the South China Sea.

The unnamed report was not correct because according to the full text of Tsai's remarks, she was expressing that Taiwan's principle is very clear, which is to maintain peace in the area, the Presidential Office said.

To that end, the report was inaccurate by saying Tsai "welcomed" a British military base, the Presidential Office noted.

Meanwhile, Tsai also expressed that freedom of passage is a very important insistence of Taiwan with regards to the South China Sea, the Presidential Office said, adding that the government will have an open attitude toward whatever contributes to maintaining peace and freedom of navigation in the region.

It is also hoped that all countries will be able to cooperate on the issue while respecting various standpoints, the Presidential Office added.

(By Matt Yu and William Yen)
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