President Tsai meets Japanese Diet delegation led by LDP Youth Director Keisuke Suzuki
President Tsai Ing-wen met on the afternoon of August 21 with a delegation from the Japanese Diet led by Mr. Keisuke Suzuki, Director of the Youth Division of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). The president stated that the Youth Division has always been an important conduit for contacts between the LDP and Taiwan, and it is just this sort of activity that has helped build the warm bilateral friendship that exists in both government and non-government circles. Commenting on China's bully tactics toward Taiwan, President Tsai reiterated that Taiwan will not bow to pressure. On the contrary, Taiwan will be more unified and determined. Taiwan will never succumb to pressure, and will continue to engage with the world. The president also expressed hope that the members of the LDP Youth Division will continue to exert their influence to enhance the close partnership between Taiwan and Japan.
In remarks, President Tsai noted that China has been escalating its oppression of Taiwan. Examples include preventing Taiwan's participation in international organizations, forcing international airlines to change their designation for Taiwan, and depriving us of our right to host the East Asian Youth Games. The severing earlier that same day of diplomatic ties between Taiwan and El Salvador was just the latest incident. President Tsai then stated that China's behavior will only bring about closer ties between countries in the region that respect freedom and democracy.
Also in the delegation were Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Chief Representative Mikio Numata; Japanese House of Representatives members Takayuki Kobayashi, Hajime Sasaki, and Takaki Shirasuka; and House of Councillors members Yumi Yoshikawa, and Hirofumi Takinami.