LOS ANGELES: Taiwan’s president has given a speech in the United States — the first time in 15 years that a leader of the island has spoken publicly on American soil — prompting an official protest from Beijing.

During a stopover en route to Paraguay, Tsai Ing-wen, whose government refuses to endorse Beijing’s view that Taiwan is part of China, vowed to defend democratic values.

“We will keep our pledge that we are willing to jointly promote regional stability and peace under the principles of national interests, freedom and democracy,” she said on Monday.

China views Taiwan as part of its own territory — to be reunified by force if necessary — even though the two sides split in 1949 after a civil war. Beijing is always swift to condemn any move that could be interpreted as de facto diplomatic recognition of the government in Taipei and has stepped up pressure on Taiwan since Tsai came to power.

Tsai made her speech at the Ronald Reagan Presid­ential Library, whose namesake she praised for his contribution to Taiwan-US relations, including a commitment not to pressure Taipei to negotiate with Beijing.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2018