Taiwanese lawmakers are calling on China to cease its military drills surrounding Taiwan, saying these actions are damaging cross-strait relations and disrupting the international order. Legislative Speaker You Si-kun (游錫堃) read this joint statement on Tuesday, three days after China started its most recent round of military exercises.
The drills are in response to President Tsai Ing-wen’s (蔡英文) trip to Central America last week, which involved two transit stops in the United States. During these stops, Tsai met with politicians like US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, a meeting that Beijing condemned.
The legislature’s joint statement says Tsai had the right to make the trip, just as her predecessors had, and the international community supported her decision. The statement also says China’s display of military activity threatens regional security and violates the UN Charter’s most fundamental principles.
The document states that Taiwan is an independent country and its leaders and people have the right to communicate with other nations. It also points out that while China is blocking Taiwan from entering certain global organizations, it cannot keep Taiwan from wanting to participate in the international community.