Taiwan president says ties with China must be decided by will of the people - CNA

China has cast the election as a choice between war and peace and has refused multiple offers of talks by Tsai, believing she is a separatist.

Tsai has made bolstering and modernising Taiwan's defences a priority, including pushing an indigenous submarine programme.

"Everyone's home has locks on them, which is not to provoke the neighbours next door but to make yourself safer. This is the same for the doors to the country. Taiwan's people want peace, but we want peace with dignity," she said.

Taiwan's government has repeatedly warned China is trying to interfere in the election, whether by using fake news or military or trade pressure, and Tsai said she hoped people could be on alert for this.

After China accused Taiwan of erecting trade barriers and ended some tariff cuts for the island, China last week threatened further economic measures.

Tsai said Taiwan's companies must look globally and diversify.

"This is the correct path, rather than going back to the path of relying on China, especially as in China's unstable market there is unpredictable risk," she said.

"We have always welcomed healthy, orderly interactions across the strait, but trade and economic exchanges cannot become a political tool."

China has taken particular exception to current Vice President Lai Ching-te, the presidential candidate for Taiwan's ruling Democratic Party (DPP) and who is leading in opinion polls by varying margins, saying he is also a dangerous separatist.

Both the DPP and Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang say only the island's people can decide their future.

Tsai cannot stand again after two terms in office. She will step down in May when the next president is sworn in. 

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2024-01-01 03:03:34Z
CBMiWWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmNoYW5uZWxuZXdzYXNpYS5jb20vYXNpYS90YWl3YW4tcHJlc2lkZW50LXRzYWktY2hpbmEtdGllcy13aWxsLXBlb3BsZS00MDE5NDEx0gEA