After Taiwan announced plans to open a new representative office in Lithuania, China responded by ordering Lithuania to withdraw its ambassador to Beijing.
July 06, 2021
A handout photo. Chiou I-jen, former secretary general of Taiwan’s National Security Council and vice-premier, said the DPP could still promote its goal of independence for the island.
South China Morning Post
Taiwan’s former security chief Chiou I-jen has warned that declaring independence is not up to its people alone, saying that is the “cruel reality” of the situation facing the self-ruled island .
Chiou, who was secretary general of Taiwan’s National Security Council and a vice-premier, made the remarks on a radio show hosted by former president Chen Shui-bian on Sunday (July 4) .
“Whether Taiwan can declare independence is not a decision which can be made by Taiwanese people. Rather, we need to consider the current international situation and China’s possible action,” said Chiou, a veteran pro-independence figure within the ruling Democratic Progressive Party.
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Independence cannot be decided by Taiwanese alone: DPP heavyweight
07/04/2021 04:02 PM
Taiwan-Japan Relations Association Chairman Chiou I-jen. CNA file photo
Taipei, July 4 (CNA) Taiwan has to face the reality that the decision on whether to officially declare independence cannot be made by Taiwanese alone given the possible reaction of China and United States opposition, ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) heavyweight Chiou I-jen (邱義仁) said Sunday.
Speaking during a radio show hosted by former President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁), Chiou, a former National Security Council chief and vice premier under Chen, said it is a cruel reality that the decision is not one Taiwanese can make by themselves because we have to consider the current international situation, as well as China s possible reaction.
The Japanese government announced on Wednesday evening that it would provide 1.24 million doses of AstraZeneca (AZ) vaccines to Taiwan and the package was sent on a plane on Friday morning.