Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Tsai Ing-wen has outlined her platform in an op-ed that appeared in Monday’s Wall Street Journal.
In the article, Tsai wrote that the US is Taiwan’s most important strategic partner in Asia and Taiwan’s 10th largest trading partner. Tsai said she is committed to enhancing military cooperation, especially joint training, exercises and defense-industrial cooperation.
Addressing the economic front, Tsai wrote that Taiwan must work to establish robust economic linkages throughout the world, attract long-term foreign investment and cultivate human capital. This includes a stronger trade agenda and joining regional economic agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Tsai wrote that her goal in cross-strait relations is a more consistent and sustainable relationship with China. This requires open channels of communication, both with China’s leadership and the Taiwanese people. She highlighted the Sunflower Movement as an example of what can result when the Taiwanese people feel they have been left out of the discussion.
Tsai wrote that she wants to implement a transparent process to enhance trust and cooperation across the Taiwan Strait. She said, “Through principled engagements, joint initiatives and dialogue, I will ensure that the spirit of cooperation that has guided the betterment of China-Taiwan relations continues.”