China is extending air and sea military exercises around Taiwan that were due to end on Sunday. The live-fire drills following US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit are putting further pressure on Taiwan’s defense systems.
In response, lawmakers from across the political spectrum have come out to offer solutions.
Opposition People’s Party legislator Tsai Pi-ru is calling on President Tsai Ing-wen to be tough on China. She is proposing multiparty dialogue and open lines of communication with China and the United States as key to dealing with the crisis.
Other Taiwanese politicians have also condemned Beijing’s military actions. Ruling Democratic Progressive Party lawmaker Chao Tien-lin says Taiwan should stay calm and composed in response to the threat, but not cave to Chinese pressure.
Meanwhile, opposition Kuomintang lawmaker Johnny Chiang is warning that China’s show of force is a menace not only to Taiwan, but also Japan and the United States. He says the government should do more to make the public aware of the threat.