Taiwan's president stated that a battle with China is 'not an alternative'

January 26, 2023: Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen stated that Pope Francis in a letter that war with China is “not an alternative” and noted constructive interaction with Beijing, claiming the island as part of its territory, depends on respecting self-ruled Taiwan’s democracy.

Vatican City is the previous European administration to have diplomatic relations with Taiwan instead of Beijing. Therefore the United States and different Western nations maintain extensive informal ties. Taiwanese leaders are uneasy regarding the Vatican’s efforts to develop relations with Beijing.

In the letter her office released, Tsai expressed support for Vatican positions on war against Ukraine, “migrant-friendly policies”, and public health.

“We identify profoundly with your views,” Tsai stated.

Taiwan and China were away in 1949 following a civil war and had zero official relations but linking by billions of dollars in trade and investment. The Chinese Communist Party regularly scrambles fighter planes and bombers near Taiwan to enforce that the island is obliged to mix with the mainland by force if required.

Tsai cited Francis’s January 1 message for the World Day of Peace that the “virus of war” must be cured. In an October 10 speech, she quoted herself leaving armed conflict across the Taiwan Strait and calling for “peace and stability.”

“Armed confrontation is not an option,” Tsai wrote.

“Only by appreciating the commitment of the Taiwanese people to our sovereignty and freedom can there be a state for resuming constructive interaction all over the Taiwan Strait,” Tsai’s letter said.

China tried to pressure the island, including firing missiles into the sea. Legislators from Britain and different countries have visited Taiwan to support its elected administration. Following then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi of the U.S. House of Representatives in August is the highest-ranking American official visiting the island in 25 years.

A former Taiwanese evil president under Tsai, Chen Chien-Jen, represented the island at the funeral of ex-ope Benedict.