Financial TimesFinancial Times

Taiwan’s deepening political divide over the US and China

By Kathrin Hille

05 Apr 2023 · 10 min read

Editor's Note

FT delves into Taiwan's growing political divide as President Tsai courts US backing while ex-President Ma connects with China amid rising Sino-U.S. tensions.

Over the course of a long foreign trip that has seen her visit the US twice, Taiwanese president Tsai Ing-wen has delivered a consistent and blunt message. In the face of Chinese threats to annex the country, Taiwan needs to have the US at its back.

“Taiwan stands on the front lines of democracy,” she said last week in New York. “We will work hand in hand with our democratic partners.” She will drive home this point when she meets US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and 17 other members of Congress on Wednesday in California.

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