TOKYO, Japan, (JapanToday) – Taiwan’s deputy representative to Japan said Monday he hopes prime minister Yoshihide Suga’s government will play a greater role in ensuring stability in the region, hailing a joint statement issued after a US-Japan summit that mentioned the self-ruled island for the first time in 52 years.
“Japan’s role in preventing China from invading Taiwan has become more important,” Tsai Ming-yao, the deputy head of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in Japan, said in an interview with Kyodo News. The office serves as the de facto embassy in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
“This is a historically important document. I would like to express my gratitude,” he said, referring to a post-summit joint statement that touched on the importance of the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, where China has grown increasingly assertive.
Suga became the first foreign leader to visit the White House since US president Joe Biden took office when they held in-person talks on Friday.
Last month, Philip Davidson, outgoing commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, said a Chinese invasion of Taiwan could occur within the next six years.
“It is futile to engage in an arms race with China to strengthen deterrence. I would like Japan and the United States to pool their knowledge together to find a solution through political and diplomatic means,” Tsai said.
Although China and Taiwan have been governed separately since they split in 1949 after a civil war, Beijing continues to see the island as a renegade province awaiting reunification, if necessary by force.
Noting Japan’s leadership in reaching the 11-member Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade deal, formally known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, following the United States’ withdrawal four years ago, Tsai said, “I hope Japan will continue in this role until Taiwan becomes a member.”
Source: Kyodo News
