The Taiwanese Vice President, William Lai, in a visit to the US, has said that the island nation will not be cowed by threats from China.
Speaking at an event in New York, Lai said: ‘No matter how great the threat of authoritarianism is to Taiwan, we absolutely will not be scared nor cower, we will uphold the values of democracy and freedom.’
Lai was not on an official visit to the US but had stopped in the country on his way to Paraguay. He will also be making a stop in San Francisco on his way back.
Paraguay is one of only a handful of countries which officially recognises Taiwan as an independent country.
Lai is a frontrunner to become President of Taiwan when the country holds elections next year. In April he was officially nominated by the governing Democratic Progressive Party to be its presidential candidate and is leading in most polls.
Lai’s election could heighten tensions between Taiwan and China, as Lai is a strong supporter of formal Taiwanese independence.
Tensions between China and Taiwan have been high in recent years with sabre rattling from Beijing increasing.