Tsai sets off on 10-day tour of Central American allies
Tsai sets off on 10-day tour of Central American allies
2023-03-29
President Tsai Ing-wen has set off on a 10-day tour of Central American allies, with high-profile stopovers in New York and Los Angeles. Tensions are expected to flare in New York City, as pro-China groups gear up to protest the visit. But Taiwan’s expat community is preparing to fight back and to roll out the red carpet for the president.
President Tsai Ing-wen led a group of officials in a ceremony at the National Revolutionary Martyr’s shrine. She left the venue accompanied by National Security Council Secretary-General Wellington Koo and Presidential Office Secretary-General Lin Chia-lung.
After three years with no trips abroad, the president boarded a plane at midday, kicking off a 10-day visit to Taiwan’s Central American allies.
Tsai Ing-wen
President
As a democracy, Taiwan is resolutely committed to defending the values of freedom and democracy. We will continue being a force for good in the international community, feeding virtuous cycles and strengthening the resilience of global democracies. Taiwan is a key force in the global economy and will continue pursuing prosperity together with its allies. In the world, Taiwan is Taiwan. Making Taiwan go international and bringing the world to Taiwan is an important goal for our administration. External forces will not shake our determination to go global. We are collected and confident. We will not give in or provoke others.
Tsai’s trip includes a transit in New York. Last time she was in New York in 2019, the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification organized protests in the city. This time around, the organization held a press conference in Chinatown to decry Tsai’s visit.
CCPPNR member
Tsai Ing-wen sneaks into the U.S., destroying the development of cross-strait peace. We resolutely oppose any form of Taiwan independence.
Chuang Chen-hui
DPP US East Coast Chapter
I think they are trying to make use of this opportunity, as nobody from Taiwan has come in the past few years due to COVID. So it’s a chance for them to act. The U.S. is paying a lot of attention to this visit by President Tsai Ing-wen. This was originally just a matter for the Manhattan precinct, but now even police from the 109th precinct, from Flushing, have been contacted. I asked them, and they said that their headquarters were watching the situation closely.
The New York Police Department will be on guard for potential scuffles. The Overseas Community Affairs Council also has an ace up its sleeve.
Yang Cheng-jung
Overseas Community Affairs Council
Some people will bring megaphones. So if they bump into large groups of protesters making a lot of noise, they will have a way to fight back. Overseas compatriots from many cities are really looking forward to the visit. There will be a bus coming up from Washington, D.C. and many people will be driving six to seven hours from Pittsburgh expressly to take part in the banquet.
With Tsai on her way to the U.S., preparations from both supporters and detractors are in full swing.
10天9夜"民主夥伴共榮之旅" 蔡總統今午啟程
2023-03-29
總統蔡英文週三展開為期十天九夜的"民主夥伴共榮之旅"，出訪中美洲友邦，期間過境美國紐約、洛杉磯。民視新聞在紐約獨家直擊，每次都來抗議的和平統一促進會，這回也跟中國僑團大開記者會，預告將如影隨形抗議，台僑則不甘示弱，早準備好秘密武器反制。
總統蔡英文親自主持忠烈殉職人員致祭典禮，隨後在國安會秘書長顧立雄和總統府秘書長林佳龍陪同下，趕著離開忠烈祠。
睽違3年，總統在中午搭機出訪。展開為期10天9夜的"民主夥伴共榮之旅"。
[[總統 蔡英文]]
“民主的台灣堅定捍衛自由民主價值，更會持續作為國際社會良善力量，延續善的循環，強化全球民主韌性。台灣作為全球經濟的關鍵力量，會持續追求和友盟國家的共榮發展。台灣是世界的台灣，帶領台灣走向世界，也讓世界走進台灣，是我們執政重要目標，外來壓力不會阻撓我們走向世界的決心，我們冷靜、自信、不屈服、、不挑釁。”
這次蔡總統去程將過境紐約，回顧2019年她過境紐約時，和平統一促進會就如影隨行抗議，這回他們更大張旗鼓，跟中國僑團在中國城大開記者會，對總統嗆聲。
[[和平統一促進會成員]]
“蔡英文竄美，嚴重破壞兩岸關係和平發展，我們堅決反對任何形式台獨。”
[[民進黨美東黨部主委 莊振輝]]
“我想他們趁這機會，因為疫情這幾年都沒人過來，當然這次是他們表現機會。美國對這次台灣蔡總統來美國很重視，所以這本來是在曼哈頓的事情，但是他都打到109分局，是管法拉盛(華人區)的，會問到他就表示他們總部對這個有重視。”
就怕擦槍走火，紐約警方嚴陣以待。台僑也已經準備好秘密武器。
[[僑務促進委員 楊承融]]
“也有人要準備擴音設備，如果真的遇到大規模聲音抗議，他們也會等於是反擊回去。各地僑胞其實都非常期待，所以知道華府地區會特地包遊覽車上來，匹茲堡地區也蠻多鄉親會特地開六到七小時的車，專程來參加這場僑宴。”
在總統抵達美國前，支持與抗議的人都準備好要迎接她的到來。
Related News
