Taiwan’s president rejects suggested ‘one country, two systems’ offer by Chinese

by Marty Johnson - 10/10/19 10:09 AM ET

Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on Thursday rejected China’s “one country, two systems” offer that Beijing has continuously pushed in attempts to unify the island and mainland, Reuters reports.

Tsai rejected the offer during a National Day speech in Taipei. Taiwan’s National Day — Oct. 10 — marks the anniversary of the beginning of the 1911 uprising that ended Chinese dynastic rule on the island and led to the founding of the Republic of China.

{mosads}In particular, Tsai cited the increasingly violent pro-democracy unrest in Hong Kong, saying that Beijing’s proposed policy has put the administrative region “on the edge of disorder.”

“China is still threatening to impose its ‘one country, two systems’ model for Taiwan. Their diplomatic offensives and military coercion pose a serious challenge to regional stability and peace,” Tsai reportedly said in her speech.

She continued: “When freedom and democracy are challenged, and when the Republic of China’s existence and development are threatened, we must stand up and defend ourselves.”

The Republic of China established itself on Taiwan in 1949 following its defeat to communist forces — the founders of the People’s Republic of China — in the Chinese Civil War.

Taiwan and China have long been at odds over Beijing’s proposed policy. Both Taipei and Beijing claim to be the legitimate government of China, of which they agree Taiwan is a part.

Taiwan has its own democratically elected government.

According to Reuters, Beijing suspects Taiwan will make a move toward formally declaring independence, a move that China has said will lead to military action.

Tsai, however, has denied this, saying that such a move wouldn’t be made unilaterally.

Tags China Hong Kong Taiwan Tsai Ing-Wen