Taiwanese Premier Su Tseng-chang has called for talks with China amid rising geopolitical tensions with the mainland, saying rapprochement must be done without preconditions and with the estranged parties treated as equals.
“Taiwan does not want to close the door to China,” Su told reporters on Sunday. “It is China that has used various means to oppress and treat Taiwan unreasonably.”
Su made his comments after Beijing halted imports of grouper fish from Taiwan, a move that Taipei had alleged was politically motivated. Hours earlier, Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe said China sought peaceful reunification with Taiwan but was reserving “other options.”
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, Wei reiterated a warning against any countries interfering in the China-Taiwan relationship. “If anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, we will fight to the end, no matter the cost,” he said. “No one should ever underestimate the resolve and ability of the Chinese armed forces to safeguard its territorial integrity.”