Taiwan military honor guard march during the National Day celebrations in Taipei, Taiwan, Monday, Oct. 10, 2016. Taiwan's new president Tsai Ing-wen said Monday her self-ruled island will not bow to Beijing's pressure and that China should recognize her government's existence and engage with it in talks, in remarks likely to further anger China. Speaking in a National Day address, Tsai acknowledged that ties between Taiwan and China in recent months have been bumpy. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying)
October 11, 2016 - 8:17 AM
WASHINGTON - The U.S. says it supports the Taiwanese leader's call for dialogue with China amid increased tensions between the self-governing island and the communist government in Beijing.
The top diplomat for East Asia, Daniel Russel, said Tuesday that the U.S. has a "deep and abiding interest" in stability across the Taiwan Strait, and welcomes constructive steps by both sides to improve relations. He called for flexibility, creativity and patience.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen (ts-EYE eeng wuhn) said Monday that the island will not bow to Chinese pressure and that Beijing should recognize her government's existence and engage with it in talks.
China says it won't resume talks until Tsai endorses Beijing's position that China and Taiwan are part of a single Chinese nation. The previous Taiwanese government accepted that formulation.
News from © The Associated Press, 2016